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AN ESSAY ON STUDY, 

BY EINGELBEKGIUS. 

WITH A 

PREFACE AxND INDEX, 
BY W. H. ODENHEIMER, A.M. 

DEDICATED TO THE STUDENTS 

OF THE 

CLASSICAL, MEDICAL, LEGAL, AND THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS 
OF PHILADELPHIA 



THE 

CELEBRATED TREATISE 

OF 

JOACH. FORTIUS RK(GELBETIGIUS 



EATIONE STUDII: 



TRANSLATED FROM THE EDITION OF VAN ERPE, 



BY G. B. EARP, 



COLL. CORP. XTI. CANT. 



PREFACE AND APPENDIX, 



^. 



BY W. H. ODENHEIMER, A.M. 

RECTOR OF ST. PETER'S CHVRCH, PHILADELPHIA. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

CAREY AND HART, 126 CHESTNUT STREET. 
• 1847. 



.^ 



^n 



in 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, by 

CAREY AND HART, 

the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Eastern District of 
Pennsylvania. 



PHILADELPHIA : 

T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS, 

PRINTEKS. 



TO 
THE STUDENTS 

OF THE 

Classical, iHcbical, £egal anh ^lieological 0rl)ools 

OF 

PHILADELPHIA, 

THIS 

AMERICAN EDITION 

OF THE 

GT-OWING APPEAL OF AN ENTHUSIASTIC SCHOLAR OF THE 

SIXTEENTH CENTURY, 

IS 

DEDICATED 

BY THE EDITOR. 



CONTENTS. 



Preface by the American Editor. 

chap. page 

I. We must first of all, by a careful and impartial estimation 
of our own abilities, determine to what height we can 
reasonably hope to aspire, and then make every exertion 
for its attainment . . . . . .13 

11. We must love our studies and despise luxury . . 19 

III. We must never despair . . . . .25 

IV. We must think lightly of riches . . . .27 
V. The student must be desirous of praise . . .30 

VI. By what means knowledge is to be attained . . 31 

VII. On solitary study . . . . . .33 

VIII. Hearing lectures of little use, without private study . 35 

IX. We must not suffer an unbecoming timidity to hinder us 

in the pursuit of knowledge . . . .38 

X. We must accustom ourselves to writing much, and not 
suffer ourselves to be led away by the desire of a vain and 
transitory popularity . . . . .40 

XI. By what signs they who are likely to rise to literary emi- 
nence may be distinguished . . . .44 
XII. Youth is the time for exertion . . . .48 

XIII. We must not suffer a moment to escape us without profit 50 

XIV. We must look to our own studies, and not concern our- 

selves too much about the progress of others . . 52 

1* 



VI CONTENTS. 



CHAP. 



PAGE 

XV. We must not waste too much time in sleep . • 54 

XVI. What time is best adapted to study . . .57 

XVII. On bodily exercise . . . • • -59 

XVIII. On slothfulness . . . • • -63 

XIX. Our recreative amusements should, as far as possible, be 

rendered subservient to the purposes of literature . 70 

XX. Conclusion . . . . . • •'77 



Appendix. 

I. Extract from Erpenius' Preface to his edition of Ringel- 

bergius . . . . • • .85 

II. " College Discipline," from Whytehead's " College Life." 87 

III. " On the Dignity of the Profession," from an unpublished 

lecture to Medical Students, by Dr. MUtter . . 90 

IV. " Legal Education," from Lord Brougham . . 95 
V. " Of the Errors to be avoided in the study of Divinity," 

from Du Pin's Complete Method of Study, &c. . . 99 

VI. "Frequent changes in the plan of Study," from "Hand 

Book for Readers and Students," by A. Potter, D.D. . 102 



PREFACE BY THE AMERICAN EDITOR. 



Among the most useful gifts which those who 
have mastered the difficulties of learning can bestow, 
is the composition and publication of such treatises 
as may reveal to younger aspirants for knowledge, 
both the difficulties in the path to eminence, and the 
best mode of surmounting them. 

The experience of mature scholars is, indeed, valu- 
able to themselves, but a judicious record of it be- 
comes even more valuable to those who are beginning 
a student's life. For, although nothing can take the 
place of personal application and perseverance, there 
is, nevertheless, substantial aid in the encouraging 
voice of those whose application has been rewarded 
with success, and whose perseverance has terminated 
in distinction. 

Among works which may be properly regarded as 
the tribute of an elder to a younger scholar, is the 
following essay on study. It is the production of a 
Flemish philosopher and mathematician of the six- 
teenth century, whose German name was Sterck, and 
whose Latin appellation was Joachimus Fortius Rin- 
gelbergius. He appears to have been skilled in va- 



Vlll PREFACE. 



rious arts and sciences. He did not begin the study ^. 
of Latin till his seventeenth year, but his progress was'^ 
rapid; and, although his Latinity is regarded by critics 
as defective, yet he excelled, in spirit and vivacity, 
most of the Dutch and German writers of his age. He 
was skilled in the Greek, and seems to have been so 
ardent an admirer of Homer, as to have committed his 
poems to memory from beginning to end. 

As will be perceived by a perusal of his treatise on 
Study, Ringelbergius was a perfect enthusiast in the 
acquisition of knowledge, combining some eccentrici- 
ties with his devotion to learning. 

The whole of his works were published at Lugd., 
1531; Bas., 1541, 8vo.; and again at Lugd., 1556, 
8vo. The most esteemed are — Sphsera, sive Institu- 
tionum Astronomicarum, lib. iii., Basil, 1528, 8vo. — 
Liber de Homine, Basil, 1529, 8vo. — De Ratione 
Studii, Antwerp, 1529. — Dialectica, et Tabula Dia- 
lecticse, Leyden, 1574. — De Conscribendis Epistolis, 
lib. — Rhetorica, et quae ad earn spectant; — Sententise; 
— Cosmographia ; — Optica — Chaos Mathematicum. — 
Arithmeticum. 

It is believed that the present treatise is now printed 
in this country for the first time;, and it has been un- 
dertaken, not only because the book was highly es- 
teemed by the scholars of past ages, but also in the 
hope that, notwithstanding various defects in style, 
it might prove useful to stimulate the ambition, and 
encourage the industry of students. 

The strongest testimony to its value is given by the 
learned Erpenius, Professor of Arabic and Hebrew at 
Leyden, in the year 1619. This celebrated man "ac- 



PREFACE. IX 

knowledges himself originally indebted to it for all his 
acquisitions. He met with it at the age of sixteen, 
and in consequence of its suggestions, though he was 
then totally averse to a studious life, and had made no 
proficiency in learning, yet he afterwards became a dis- 
tinguished scholar. The treatise had become scarce, 
and Erpenius generously printed a new edition, that 
others might partake of the benefit which he had him- 
self enjoyed. He published it with the title of Liber 
vere Aureus^ or the truly Golden Treatise."* 

Vicesimus Knox, whilst criticising severely Ringel- 
bergius' over-ardent literary enthusiasm, still, does not 
hesitate to say '*it contains many passages which tend 
to encourage the scholar in his pursuits, and to inspire 
him with an ardor and enthusiasm like that excited in 
the soldier, by the drum and trumpet, as he is march- 
ing on to battle." 

De Quincey, in his " Letters to a Young Man, whose 
education has been neglected," notices this production 
as characterized by ^'its extraordinary tone of passion 
and frantic energy, and at times of noble sentiment 
eloquently expressed." It may be proper to add, in 
this connection, the views of the English translator. 
"It is the intention of the following translation to 
rouse the dormant energies of the young student, dur- 
ing the period usually allotted to academical instruc- 
tion, that he may thereby acquire that knowledge which 
will be an ornament to him here, and by the acquisi- 
tion of which he may be enabled to render a good 
account of his time hereafter." 

* For Erpenius' account of his appreciation of this treatise, see 
Appendix No. I. 



X PREFACE. 

The English edition of Ringelbergius de Ratione 
Studii was published in 1830, having been translated 
by Mr. G. B. Earp, of Corpus Christi College, Cam- 
bridge; and inscribed, by him, to the under-graduates 
of Cambridge, Oxford and Dublin. His translation is 
quite a free one, for which he assigns the following 
reason: — "No one would have thanked me had I ren- 
dered a mass of uncouth Latin with the fidelity which 
the translation of a classic author would have neces- 
sarily demanded. I have, therefore, omitted whatever 
appeared to me irrelevant to the purpose of the work, 
or of too enthusiastic a nature to be consistent with 
good sense and sound learning. In order to fill up 
the vacuum thus necessarily occasioned, I have also 
made such additions to the original as seemed best 
calculated to preserve the connection of the text." 

Mr. Earp must, therefore, be held responsible for 
the English garb in which Ringelbergius appears, al- 
though it may admit of question whether a more faith- 
ful version would not have done more justice both to 
the Flemish and the British scholar. In one instance 
the American editor has taken the liberty of omitting 
a portion of Mr. Earp's '^ additions," having, in this 
reprint, excluded from chapter xvii. an unnecessary 
critique on the men of modern Italy and an unbecom- 
ing attack on the religion of that country. Whatever 
opinion may be entertained of the justice or injus- 
tice of Mr. Earp's judgment on the above points, it 
is quite sufficient for the scholar to know that Ringel- 
bergius is not the author of them. 

In the Appendix, the American editor has collected 
a few extracts tending to develop the general design 



PREFACE. XI 

of Ringelbergius, and to apply his principles to the 
studies of particular professions. For the permission 
granted him by an eminent surgeon of Philadelphia to 
make an extract from his unpublished MS., which will 
be found in the Appendix, as also for the consent of the 
Right Reverend, the Bishop of Pennsylvania, to make 
an extract from his "Hand-book for Students" — the 
editor here returns his acknowledgments. 

The danger of being charged with presumption, for 
even editing this work on Study, has been risked in 
the hope of furthering the good design of Ringelber- 
gius, and of moving to generous emulation in the pur- 
suit of knowledge the young American student. 

*' Certare ingenio, contendere nobilitate, 
Noctes atque dies niti prsestante labore 
Ad siiramas evadere opes, rerumque potiri." 

Philada., 1846. 



ON STUDY 



CHAPTER I. 

We must first of all, by a careful and impartial estimation of our 
abilities, determine to what height we can reasonably hope to 
aspire, and then make every exertion for its attainment. 

Whenever any one wishes to rise to literary dis- 
tinction, he must not think of accomplishing his pur- 
pose in a rash and inconsiderate manner; but having 
first, after a close and impartial scrutiny into the capa- 
bilities of his mental powers, considered which of the 
arts or sciences are best adapted to his capacity, and 
most congenial to his taste, and next determined to 
what extent he will proceed in their attainment; he 
must then rouse every energy, and direct every effort 
of his mind solely to the accomplishment of the pro- 
posed object of his solicitude: for in this way only- 
will he arrive at anything like distinction in those arts 
or sciences which come within the scope of his imagi- 
nation. To what height the young student intends to 
aspire, must of course be left to his estimation of his 
own abilities. For in a man of ordinary talents, it 
is laudable to have attained by industry and persever- 
ance to a well-grounded reputation of mediocrity: it 
is more laudable to be ranked with men whose names 
2 



14 ON STUDY. 

have been the glory of their respective eras; but it is 
beyond all praise to pass beyond the station of the most 
illustrious of ancient and modern times, and to obtain a 
firm footing upon a lofty eminence of the mountain of 
literature where no one has ever stood before you, and 
where, in all probability, no one will ever venture to 
climb after you. The first of these objects is easy of 
attainment. The second is truly an arduous undertak- 
ing; but should you even attempt the last, you will, by 
men of little knowledge and circumscribed intellects, 
be branded with the epithet of insane ; or be accused 
of searchinsj into secrets which Nature never intended 
should be known to any one but herself. 

Let not, however, this discourage you : for] should 
you even endure the mortification of failure, you are 
sure of approbation ; since great attempts, although un- 
successful, are most worthy of praise. But with men of 
talent and industry, there is little danger of defeat ; 
for since it is evident, that there have been men, to 
the superiority of whose genius the universal admira- 
tion of all ages has borne testimony ; I maintain, that 
it is in the power of men in the present day, to sur- 
pass even those luminaries themselves in the acquire- 
ments of science and literature. — How mean, how 
timid, how abject must be the condition of that mind 
which can content itself with anything like medio- 
crity ! On the other hand, how noble must be the 
elevation of that mind, which, having surmounted the 
loftiest pinnacle of the temple of learning, can look 
down upon the groveling earthworms, upon whom it 
has trampled in its progress thither! Upon that 
enviable eminence, more radiant than the splendor of 



ON STUDY. 15 

the mid-day sun, it shall shine, a glorious object to the 
whole world ; till time itself shall have consigned all 
human distinctions to an eternal oblivion. Myriads 
of men, in number countless as the sands on the shores 
of the ocean, shall perpetuate the memory of its pos- 
sessor with heartfelt gratitude and veneration. 

Let me therefore exhort all whose minds have been 
rendered susceptible of the influence of literature, to 
determine to what height they can reasonably hope 
to aspire ; and then, in spite of any difficulties they 
may encounter in their progress, to journey progres- 
sively and patiently onward, till they find themselves 
in full and secure possession of the ardently wished 
for eminence. 

To this end, then, let us always continue to labor 
without intermission, even though our labors be pro- 
ductive of no fruit, no glory, no praise. Though an- 
other may reach the goal before us ; though another 
may be in possession of the camp ; still let not exer- 
tion be wanting on our parts : for if, when we expect 
to find our efibrts crowned with success, we should be 
disappointed, we shall thus have the unspeakable 
satisfaction of knowing that, although from adverse 
or unforeseen circumstances we have not been able to 
command that success, we have notwithstanding richly 
deserved it. For my own part, whenever the desire 
of effecting a noble purpose has enkindled a flame 
within my breast, such is my ardor, such my confi- 
dence, that I had rather be torn in a thousand pieces, 
(nor do I surpass the bounds of truth, when I make 
the assertion,) than suffer my mind to relinquish its 
object. 



16 ON STUDY. 

I am aware, that there are some who will not only 
esteem it an act of presumption, but as I have before 
said, of downright madness, to attempt to surpass the 
works of the ancients in excellence ; for, say they, the 
writings of the ancients, which have come down to 
us, though comparatively few in number, and those 
perhaps inferior to others which have perished, are 
so elaborate, and at the same time so perfect, that to 
add or take way, to change or transpose one word in 
the writings of any one of them, would be to render 
the work so altered less perfect and less admirable. 
And so in fact it would ; yet since they were men of 
like capacities with ourselves, it is but reasonable to 
suppose that we should be able at least to equal them. 
And since the sun of science, which was in their day 
but just dawning upon the horizon of literature, has 
beamed upon us in its full and meridian splendor ; it 
is but reasonable to suppose, nay, it is disgraceful not 
to suppose, that we may and ought infinitely to sur- 
pass them ; and, in my opinion, were the industry and 
perseverance of man but equal to his capacity, there 
is nothing upon earth beyond the power of the human 
mind to accomplish. Should I now be addressing 
any one who, together with this opinion, possesses the 
ability requisite to demonstrate its correctness, I will 
say of him, that a noble heart beats within his breast, 
and he may truly say of himself with Virgil of old, 

-tentanda via est, qua me quoque possim 



Tollere humo, victorque virum volitare per ora. 
Primus ego in patriam mecum (modo vita supersit) 
Aonio rediens deducam vertice Musas : 
Primus Idumseas referam tibi, Mantua; palmas. 



ON STUDY. 17 

New ways I must attempt, my grovling name 
To raise aloft, and wing my flight to fame. 
I, first of Romans, shall in triumph come 
From conquered Greece, and bring her trophies home ] 
With foreign spoils adorn my native place. 
And with Idume's palms my Mantua grace. 

The generality of mankind seem to imagine that the 
chief thing to be studied is, how to live voluptuously ; 
and to this end, they are continually on the alert to pan- 
der to their vile passions and appetites, without once 
considering that each possesses a mind, which if culti- 
vated with care and adorned with learning, is the most 
glorious of all the works which have emanated from the 
great Creator — a transcript of himself. I, for my own 
part, do not see in what these monsters of men differ 
from oxen, except in having the gift of speech; whereas 
oxen only low : in every other respect they perfectly 
resemble each other. They have fat, bloated faces — 
so have oxen ; a marked stupidity of countenance — 
so have oxen ; flabby unmeaning lips — so have oxen ; 
they are always groveling upon the earth looking out 
for fodder — so are oxen ; they drag along with them 
monstrous bellies, which four or five times a day they 
fill to repletion — so do oxen. In short the resemblance 
is so complete, that were it not for the aforementioned 
gift of speech, a natural historian would be fully jus- 
tified in classing them with that species. These ani- 
mals (for men they cannot be called), lull the gene- 
rous spirit which was born within them, into a state of 
supineness and obscurity ; and think nothing worthy 
to be learned, but what may place them on a level 
with a set of illiterate companions, as low sunk in the 

2* 



18 ON STUDY. 

scale of sensuality as themselves. But come thou 
more noble scion of man, whose soul is on fire with 
enkindling ardor ; — I wish not so much to excite man- 
kind in general, as to rouse the sons of genius from 
their state of torpidity ; — come, I say, let us behold 
the beauty of our minds, and having beheld it, let us 
study to adorn it ; and having adorned it, let us glory 
in the ornaments ; and knowing the shortness of this 
our mortal life, let us secure an immortality by build- 
ing ourselves a name which time itself cannot efface. 
We are all sprung from celestial seed, thither let us 
return whence we derive our origin. Thus, as we 
behold the rays of the sun descending upon a certain 
space in the horizon, so shall the rays of the divine 
Mind shine upon us ; but, unlike the natural orb, which 
withdraws its beams, and for a time leaves that space 
in darkness, the sun of knowledge shall enlighten us 
through the whole of our career with increasing splen- 
dor, and shall render us glorious objects to all be- 
holders. Let us imitate the example of the lion, who, 
being the most noble of beasts, is naturally averse to 
society, and prefers the gloomy solitude of the forest 
to the company of inferior animals. Let no one ac- 
knowledge a greater than himself upon earth, Him only 
excepted who of his omnipotence framed the uni- 
verse. Let us purge our minds from fancy and vani- 
ties, and let nothing delight us but what is truly great; 
and thus, whatever may be the height of our ambition, 
we shall find that difficulties will vanish at our touch, 
and that there is nothing so arduous that we shall not 
be able to conquer it. 



ON STUDY. 



19 



CHAPTER II. 

We must love our studies and despise luxury. 

He who desires to enlist himself under the banners 
of learning, must cheerfully submit to labor as well by 
night as by day. He must fly from luxury, wanton- 
ness, and all other things which render the mind effemi- 
nate, as he would from a serpent: He must be willing 
to sleep rather upon stones and bare floors than upon 
a bed of down : He must accustom himself to eat such 
food as is best calculated to satisfy the cravings of na- 
ture ; without having regard to any of those delicacies 
which only serve to pamper a depraved appetite, and 
engender a taste for voluptuousness. In short, he 
must consider all things, the more immediate object of 
which is pleasure, in the sensual acceptation of the 
word, as the greatest enemies to himself and his pur- 
suits, and as such studiously avoid them. 

Quisquis enim duros casus virtutis amore 
Vicerit, ille sibi laudemque decusque parabit 
At qui desidiam luxumque sequetur inertem 
Turpis inopsque simul, miserabile transiget scvem. 

He who contends with ills in virtue's name 
Shall conquer; and acquire a glorious fame : 
But him, who sunk in sloth and lux'ry lies^ 
The wise shall hate, and even fools despise ; 
A fearful death his shameful life shall end, 
And to the grave unwept he shall descend. 



20 ON STUDY. 

Nevertheless he must take every possible care of his 
bodily health, for without that the mind will scarcely 
be able to effect anything of importance. He must 
be more willing to stand, than to sit at his ease ; he 
must rather run, than walk leisurely along the path 
marked out for him. Let him never lay the weapons 
of his warfare out of his hands, but exercise himself 
in the constant use of them, for all these things add 
strength to "the body, and vigor to the mind, for as 
trees which stand eipc^sed to the rude blast of northern 
storms are more hardy than those which are sheltered 
from all but the southern and western breezes, so are 
we firmer and stronger when we have to contend with 
adverse circumstances ; or when greater exertion than 
usual is required, than when we live in a state of un- 
interrupted prosperity, and are easily enabled to obtain 
whatever we may wish for. Our ability increases with 
our exertion, and decreases with the want of it. Nor 
can anything be truly great or meritorious which is 
not obtained by the sweat of our brow. For so it was 
ordained by the great Author of nature himself, that 
we should not attain to excellence without the great- 
est diligence on our own parts. Thus we find it to 
be the case, that those things which are obtained with- 
out trouble, are for the most part worthless in them- 
selves, and as such come to an inglorious end : be- 
sides which, things easily acquired are lightly esteemed, 
and eventually become almost, if not altogether, use- 
less to their possessors. 

If any one think that knowledge is to be attained 
without labor, let him not unite himself with our forces. 
For in this our warfare, a greater degree of ardor and 



ON STUDY. 



21 



a stricter discipline are necessary, than the armies of 
other generals are accustomed to exercise. Nor is 
this at all unreasonable, for they contend only for the 
sovereignty of some particular country, nay, perhaps 
their object may be only the possession of some insig- 
nificant city; but we grasp at the universe. They 
know that the honors they have acquired must, after 
the lapse of a few years, irrecoverably perish ; but we 
limit our glory only by the end of the world and the 
consummation of time. 

If, then, the young recruit of literature be not will- 
ing to undergo this discipline, and encounter these 
difficulties, let him withdraw himself from our bands, 
and let him remain, as he ever will remain, an useless 
burden to the community. Socrates, the wisest of all 
the ancient philosophers, was accustomed to say, that 
the root of learning was certainly bitter, but the fruit 
was truly delicious ; and that although the cultivation 
of that root required more diligence and exertion than 
ordinary, the produce of the tree would amply repay 
the labor and anxiety of the husbandman. Therefore, 
whoever thou art, whose breast glows with the desire 
of acquiring knowledge ; whose mind is fired with 
the love of glory ; banish far from thee all eflfeminacy, 
levity, indifference, voluptuousness, and whatever may 
tend to extinguish the ardor of thy soul. The path 
"we tread is truly a rugged one. Rugged, did I say ? 
yea, we are borne onward across rocks, over preci- 
pices, through fires. Let it delight us to encounter 
the Scyllse, the Syrtes, the Charybdes of the ocean of 
literature. If there be anything in the world more 
formidable than ordinary, let us immediately attack it, 



22 ON STUDY. 

with a determination to conquer : for the bolder the 
attempt the greater will be the glory. 

Should we even fail in the attempt many places of 
refuge are open to those who have been vanquished 
in an honorable cause, and that is our country, which 
virtue and fortitude have chosen as the place of their 
habitation. But there is no danger of defeat, if our cou- 
rage and perseverance are only equal to our strength. 
Fortune herself has pointed out the path to victory, 
and it is our own fault if we suffer the favorable oppor- 
tunity to pass disregarded. 

Methinks I hear some one exclaim, " the harshness 
of your precepts is alone sufficient to deter any one 
from entering upon a path so confessedly difficult as 
that of learning." To the indolent and unthinking, 
I confess they must appear disagreeable ; but to him 
whose aim is glory, I trust it will prove an additional 
excitement : for the greater the difficulty of obtaining 
the prize, the sweeter the enjoyment when in posses- 
sion of it. Let the young student bear in mind, that 
although prosperity may make him happy, adversity 
alone can render him truly great. Alexander, though 
a youth, by fortitude and perseverance in the midst of 
difficulties and dangers, was enabled with a very small 
army to render even the most powerful monarchs tri- 
butary to himself, and eventually to reduce the whole 
of the then known world under his dominion. And 
shall we, whose field of exertion is so much more ex- 
tensive, submit to be extinguished for ever without 
honor, w^ithout remembrance, ^Av8^u>8£s ov8sv erttdsbsyixavoc 
without having done anything like men } Pliny, if I 
remember rightly, somewhere says that Pompey the 



ON STUDY. 23 

Great, in a short time subjected eight hundred cities 
of Spain to the Roman yoke, notwithstanding they 
were for the most part so situated amongst the Alps 
and in other mountainous districts, as to render them 
almost impregnable: shall we then idly shrink from a 
contest which promises us so easy a victory ? Truly 
the common proverb " That learned men are of all 
others the most indolent," does not seem to be alto- 
gether void of foundation, if they thus neglect to seize 
and improve the advantages which are open to them. 
It is not enough to know that we possess sufficient 
strength to overcome all obstacles, but we must exert 
that strength, and wage war with impediments, for in 
no other way can we hope to conquer them. Again I 
say, let them depart from amongst us who prefer their 
own ease to this our inflexible discipline and unremit- 
ting perseverance. We shall think our labors amply 
rewarded if we obtain the approbation and excite the 
energies of those who are willing to enter the lists 
with us against indolence, luxury and dissipation, and 
to contend with us for glory in this our arduous and 
honorable enterprise. 

Let us unite ourselves, and mutually assist each 
other : and who is there possessed of a disposition so 
self-interested, and a mind so devoid of humanity, as 
not to desire to help those who endeavor to assist 
him? let us reject everything which is vulgar and 
effeminate ; and let us keep our minds intently fixed 
upon the noble monument upon which we wish to 
have our deeds indelibly engraven. Bat are we doing 
this whilst we waste the flower of our age in vain 



24 ON STUDY. 

pleasures and debasing indulgences ? Certainly not. 
What a man sows, that also he may expect to reap : 
and if we thus, in the time of youth, foster the seeds 
of luxury and indolence, we may expect in our old 
age, to reap a plentiful harvest of disease and con- 
tempt. 



ON STUDY. 



25 



CHAPTER III. 

We must never despair. 

If we should not find our efforts crowned with suc- 
cess so soon as we may wish ; or if the difficulties we 
may have to contend with prove greater than we had at 
first reason to expect; we must not on either of these 
accounts be deterred from our pursuits. If, in our 
ascent, we should fall headlong a thousand times, we 
must begin to climb again every time more ardently, 
and fly to the summit with recruited vigor. Alexander, 
a man with whom difficulties were only fresh excite- 
ments to action, having invaded a country, came to a 
rocky mountain of such stupendous height and mag- 
nitude, that his troops were obliged to halt, till a place 
could be found through which they might be enabled 
to pass. Amongst these precipitous and almost inac- 
cessible heights, a number of the princes of the sur- 
rounding country had taken refuge together, hoping 
that the conqueror would either be killed, or, being 
satiated with conquest, no longer desirous of extend- 
ing his empire. Some of these meeting with the sol- 
diers, whom Alexander had commissioned to explore 
the mountain, jocularly inquired of them, whether 
their monarch could fly well? This saying was re- 
ported to Alexander, who not at all approving the jest, 
but eager to seize even the most trivial opportunity of 
stimulating his men to victory, exclaimed, Nature has 
3 



26 ON STUDY. 

made nothing so difficult of ascent, that determination 
and bravery are not able to reach its summit ! Having 
said this, he promised to reward the man who should 
first gain the top, with ten talents, the second with 
nine, the third with eight, the fourth with seven, and 
so on to the tenth, to whom he promised one. This 
had the desired effect, and he had almost immediately 
the satisfaction of seeing his whole army upon the 
summit of that rock, which a few hours before was 
deemed insurmountable. 

Let no one be dejected, if he is not conscious of 
any great advantage at first. For as we know^, that 
the hour-hand of a timepiece moves progressively on- 
ward, notwithstanding we cannot discern its momen- 
tary motion; and as we see trees and herbs increase 
and grow to maturity, although we are not able to per- 
ceive their hourly progress ; so do we know that ge- 
nius, although its transitions be imperceptible at the 
moment of observation, is sure in its advancement. 
The merchant thinks himself happy if, after a ten 
years' voyage, after a thousand dangers, he at length 
improves his fortune ; and shall we, like poor-spirited 
creatures, give up all hopes after the first onset? No! 
Let us rather adopt this as our maxim, that whatever 
the mind has commanded itself to do, it is usually 
sure of obtaining its purpose. 



ON STUDY. 27 



CHAPTER IV. 

We must think lightly of riches. 

Most unadvisedly do they complain, who contend 
that poverty is too often the companion of literature ; 
and insinuate, that when once a man has given him- 
self up to the study of letters, fortune and he have 
turned their backs on each other. With any one 
seriously and ardently devoted to learning, this argu- 
ment, even allowing it to be true, will have but little 
weight; or if it have any, it will preponderate in favor 
of literature and science. There is nothing better 
adapted, nothing more necessary to distinction than a 
moderate fortune ; nay, I had almost said than penury 
itself: for from this source have sprung all those arts 
and inventions which enhance the comfort and pro- 
mote the happiness of mankind. Necessity is the 
mother of invention ; nor is there anything more cal- 
culated to sharpen the ingenuity and excite the in- 
dustry of man, than poverty. And how much more 
honor is there due to him who has raised himself, as it 
were, from the dust to eminence, than to him upon 
whom fortune has lavishly showered her richest gifts ; 
but who makes no other use of them than to riot in 
extravagance and drown his talents in oblivion. The- 
ocritus has well remarked, " that as strong and active 
bodies are entirely useless to men who, together with 
physical strength, possess indolent and languid minds ; 



28 ON STUDY. 

SO it is no detriment to a man to be of low estate, if 
he possess a soul ambitious of distinction and deter- 
mine to use every effort to gain it." The gifts of for- 
tune and the bodily endowments of Nature soon vanish 
away ; but the beauty of mental excellence is eternal. 
We ourselves have seen men of distinguished rank in 
society, who have diffused their wealth around them 
with a liberal hand, and largely contributed to increase 
the comforts and advance the welfare of those who 
stood in need of their assistance ; yet since this was 
their only excellence, they have descended into the 
grave, lamented only by a few dependents upon their 
bounty, and their riches together with their good name 
have perished with them. 

I for my own part, am always afraid lest the pos- 
session of a few vile pieces of metal should so occupy 
my mind, as to blunt the desire of study, and render 
literary pursuits less enjoyed and esteemed. Neverthe- 
less I do not deny that a moderate income is necessary, 
not only to the comfort but also to the support of our 
existence. Nor do I condemn the possession of a large 
fortune, only as it too often unfits the mind for study, 
and disposes the owner to luxury rather than to excel- 
lence. For so it generally happens, that those things 
which are productive of pleasure to the mind, are ini- 
mical to the welfare of the body ; and on the other 
hand, those which are productive of pleasure to the 
body, are inimical to the welfare of the mind. In my 
opinion, it amounts almost to a contradiction, that a 
man should be at the same time learned and rich. And 
hence it is, that we so seldom see persons, whom rank 
and fortune have rendered illustrious, in the common 



ON STUDY. 29 

acceptation of the terra, effect anything worthy of 
being handed down to posterity. 

There is another evil attending this inordinate de- 
sire of gain, which, though it operates indirectly upon 
the mind of the youthful student, often operates but 
too surely, viz., an expectation on the part of his pa- 
rents or friends that he should acquire riches. Indeed, 
so far does this principle, or rather want of it, some- 
times lead parents, that they would rather choose that 
their children should be guilty of perjury or murder, 
than not know how to hoard money, however dis- 
graceful their methods of acquiring it. 



30 ON STUDY. 



CHAPTER V. 

The student must be desirous of praise. 

It is a great and certain sign of future excellence 
when any one is urged onward in the pursuit of know- 
ledge, by the praise given to some noble achievement 
which he may have performed in science or literature. 
Nor is it a less favorable sign, to be grieved, and in- 
cited to loftier aims, upon finding ourselves reproved 
or surpassed by another. For, as Ovid observes, 
glory inspires the soul with new vigor, and renders 
the imagination more productive, and its ideas more 
brilliant. He, therefore, who aspires to lofty things 
must be passionately fond of glory. And indeed, the 
most profound erudition, without a love of applause, 
will be able to effect but little ; and in like manner 
the love of applause without erudition, will be found 
even worse than useless. The one must act in concert 
with the other, and they will thus together be found 
sufficient for the performance of those things, which 
separately, they would not be able to accomplish.* 

* ^' You are now in the dust of the course, and having en- 
tered itj your duty is to run your hardest, not to outstrip this man 
or that man, but to ^calmly do your best,' in the task which Pro- 
vidence has set before you. A man called to be a soldier, may 
fight in a Christian temper : much more may one so read for 
honors."— Rev. T. Whytehead, M. A.— [Am, Ed.] 



ON STUDY. 31 



CHAPTER VI. 

By what means knowledge is to be attained. 

Thus have the first qualities, indispensably requisite 
in a youth devoted to study been mentioned. He must 
aim at the highest points ; he must love labor ; he 
must never despair ; he must despise riches ; he must 
be passionately fond of applause. It now remains, 
that we prescribe the methods most likely to effect his 
purpose, and smooth the path to excellence. There 
are then, three gradations in the mode of study ; hear- 
ing, teaching, and writing. It is a good and easy me- 
thod to hear; it is better and more easy to teach; but 
it is the best and most easy to write. The first of these 
methods I do nothesitate to pronounce the most difficult. 
For to me there is nothing more disagreeable than to sit 
and hear a dull lecture, though it last but for an hour ; 
and the cause of this weariness is, that it is tedious to 
confine the liberty of thought to the voice of the read- 
er; but when we teach or write, the very exercise it- 
self precludes all tedium. 

Young men have often been frightened by the dif- 
ficult and uninteresting labors thus imposed upon them 
to no purpose ; naturally enough concluding, that if 
the commencement of their literary career be so harsh 
and unpleasing, their progress will be infinitely more 
rugged and intolerable ; so rather than enter the lists 
with such formidable opponents, they give up their 



32 ON STUDY. 

studies altogether. It is therefore the duty of tutors 
to admonish their pupils that difficulties only occur at 
their outset in learning ; and that when they have once 
overcome these, the remainder of their path will be 
found smooth and delightful. But before we proceed 
farther on this subject, we will venture an opinion 
concerning solitary study. 



ON STUDY. 33 



CHAPTER VII. 

On solitary study. 

Solitary study in which almost all students waste 
aw^ay their time at home, is of all other methods the 
least pleasing, and at the same time the least profitable. 
It is certain to produce great weariness both of mind 
and body, and it is also certain to blunt rather than to 
sharpen the powers of the imagination, so that little 
fruit is to be expected from it : besides how much more 
delightful is it to study an author in company with an- 
other than by ourselves. It is truly astonishing how 
much clearer and more forcible our ideas upon any 
subject are, in the presence and with the assistance of 
a second person ; so much so indeed that if you read 
in company with any one who is competent to give his 
opinion upon the subject under consideration, all dif- 
ficulties at once unravel themselves, and you are 
plainly enabled to perceive, what, had you been alone, 
you might have puzzled over in a state of drowsy stu- 
pidity, till you had either imagined the stumbling-block 
too great for you to pass over, or thrown down your 
book in a fit of desperation and disgust. 

Let me therefore recommend the young student, to 
select a companion whose habits and inclinations are in 
a great degree consonant to his own ; taking care not to 
choose him merely for his companionable qualities, as 



34 ON STUDY. 

they are commonly called, but for his love of learning, 
and sterling worth. With the aid of such a one, he may 
fearlessly encounter even the most appalling difficulties, 
and that under such advantages as cannot fail to excite 
additional energy both in himself and his fellow-labor- 
er, and ultimately lead both to victory and honor. 



ON STUDY. 



35 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Hearing lectures of little use, without private study. 

There are some men who maintairij that a daily 
attendance upon a public lecture, for a couple of hours, 
is sufficient for the ordinary purposes of a student, 
provided he take care to rehearse and digest at home 
what he has previously heard in the lecture room. 
But surely they who talk thus are miserably deficient 
in learning, if not in intellect. For setting aside the 
carelessness too frequently observed in students, when 
attending the lectures of a professor; what memory can 
retain the whole of the discourse delivered by him, in 
so perfect a manner, as to enable a young man, (should 
he be so inclined), to treasure it up in his mind, so 
as to preclude the possibility of its being forgotten. An 
.. opinion like this, even allowing it to be true, is highly 
• pernicious and utterly subversive of every excitement 
'f tx^ distinction. For young men (at all times too prone 
'" ^te(. inaction and dissipation), would spend the remain- 
"p'a'yij.er of the day in luxury, sleep, idle lounging, or the 
^Hehearsal of empty and fabulous stories, to the exclu- 
sion of that serious meditation which ought to cha- 
racterize a candidate for literary honors. Suppose 
some one had advised Alexander the Great, when he 
had first conquered a city, to lay aside all thoughts of 
future conquest; and, having adorned the recently 
subdued place with every kind of magnificence, to fix 



36 ON STUDY. 

his residence there, and spend the remainder of his 
days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his victory. 
Would not the monarch, as well as posterity, have 
considered the person so advising him, beyond all 
doubt, a madman ? And why should they be consi- 
dered less mad, who persuade the youthful literary 
adventurer to be satisfied with an insignificant acqui- 
sition, and to waste the greater part of his life in false 
and pernicious pleasures. Let the student be assured, 
that conduct like this will never raise him to emi- 
nence : this is not the way by which learned men have 
arrived at know^ledge. Had Alexander been contented 
with the conquest of a paltry town, he had never sub- 
dued the world ; and if we are satisfied with attain- 
ments, perhaps scarcely w^orth the trouble of acquiring, 
we must give up all thoughts of becoming either 
learned or wise. But Alexander was aware that he 
had a world within his grasp ; nor did he rest satisfied 
till he had rendered himself master of it. We too 
have a world to win still more extensive than the one 
subdued ; and a cause to contend for still more honor- 
able than that of an usurper. Let us then with all our 
might, lay siege to every stronghold in nature ; nor 
desist from the attack sooner than we have rendered 
ourselves victors. 

O thou careless and unthinking youth, would that I 
could rouse thee from thy lethargy of indolence and 
forgetfulness ; and inflame thee with a desire of glory! 
How long wilt thou adopt the pernicious maxim, that 
by spending an hour in study, thou raayst be per- 
mitted to pass the remainder of the day in luxury and 
indolence. Spurn at once advice so destructive of thy 



ON STUDY. 37 

welfare, and adopt in its stead this precept — That, 
whatever by diligence and hard study, thou may'st 
have acquired, that freely impart to others ; and so 
shalt thou establish thyself upon a sure foundation, and 
become a blessing to those around thee. 



38 ON STUDY. 



CHAPTER IX. 

We must not suffer an unbecoming timidity to hinder us in the 
pursuit of knowledge. 

There are some men so exceedingly bashful, that 
if they meet with anything more than ordinarily diffi- 
cult in their studies, they are afraid to ask their tutor 
to explain it ; and by this false modesty are often kept 
from knowledge of which it is indispensable that they 
should form the clearest ideas. They say to them- 
selves, — ^* with what countenance shall we venture to 
ask a professor for an explanation of that, which, to 
him, is doubtless perfectly easy and familiar ?" Thus, 
by suffering a false sense of modesty to get the better 
of their resolution, they waste not only hours, or days, 
or weeks, but the most valuable part of their whole 
lives, and with it every hope which should animate 
their future conduct. Their own reason would inform 
them, did they but give themselves the trouble to in- 
quire of it, that it is inconsistent with sound sense to 
suppose a student possessed of that knowledge in- 
tuitively, which he comes to the university for the 
express purpose of gaining ; and consequently, that it 
is no disgrace, but the mark of an inquiring mind, 
to ask of another what they themselves are not able 
to comprehend without explanation. 

Let me therefore exhort young men, not to waste a 
moment over any difficulty which may impede their 



ON STUDY. 39 

progress ; but let them rather freely apply for the as- 
sistance of their tutor, which, if he be a liberal and 
enlightened man will be as freely given. I do not 
however mean that they should continually embarrass 
him with frivolous and unmeaning questions, for it is 
a great hindrance to men of learning to be thus inter- 
rupted ; but that they should in as few words as pos- 
sible request his assistance where there is an absolute 
necessity for it. If he happen not to be at liberty just 
at the moment, state your difficulty to any other person 
capable of giving you the requisite information ; for it 
matters not by whose treasures we increase our own 
resources. Think not then, that it can possibly lessen 
you in the estimation of others, that you stand in need 
of their assistance. Rather bear in mind, that unless 
you indefatigably seize and improve every opportunity 
afforded you of increasing your knowledge, you must 
never expect to reap any fruit from your exertions. 



40 ON STUDY. 



CHAPTER X. 

We must accustom ourselves to writing much, and not suffer 
ourselves to be led away by the desire of a vain and transi- 
tory popularity. 

One of the most valuable helps which the young 
student can possibly have to aid him in the pursuit of 
knowledge is, diligently and faithfully to commit to 
paper the transactions of every day, during his literary 
career. And indeed he will never think the time so 
occupied wasted, should he continue the practice 
throughout the whole of his life. Let him not only 
be careful to note down the more striking events 
which may fall under his observation ; but let him also 
record even the more trivial occurrences of the day. 
Let him not only mark the nature and progress of his 
studies, but also his ideas, his conversations with 
others, his anxieties, the state of his mind, the state 
of his bodily health, his expenses ; in short, whatever 
he may see, whatever he may hear, whatever he may 
have acquired, whatever he may stand in need of, 
ought to be written down, and constantly referred to. 
He will speedily find that this practice will lead him 
to a more correct knowledge both of himself and 
others, than any other which he could adopt. Even 
when he shall have arrived at a considerable profi- 
ciency in learning, let him think, that he has only ac- 
quired so much additional knowledge during the day, 



ON STUDY. 41 

as he has committed to writing at its close. This me- 
thod has also another advantage, independent of the 
facility with which it will enable him to gain know- 
ledge ; it will give him a solid and manly habit of 
thinking and reasoning ; for he will be ashamed to find 
any article in his diary of a puerile nature, or any ar- 
guments which may appear inconclusive or illogical.* 
There are some men who value themselves so much 
' upon their talent of speaking extempore, that they dis- 
dain to commit their ideas to writing for the purpose 
of previous study. But examples of this kind are 
rather to be avoided than imitated. For let the sub- 
stance of an unpremeditated, long-winded speech of 
two or three hours duration be reduced to writing, and 
then be subjected to the test of criticism ; whatever 
may have been the applause bestowed upon the speaker 
by an illiterate audience, the man of learning will be 
induced to smile at his ignorance and want of method. 
Should the young student be gifted by nature with a 
ready flow of language, let him not think for a mo- 
ment of risking his literary reputation upon this un- 
stable foundation. For it is generally the case, that 
men who can at any time secure the applause of an 
inconsiderate mob, by the fluency of their speech and 

* " Seek opportunities to write and converse on subjects about 
which you read. ' Reading/ says Bacon, ^ maketh a full man, 
conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.' Another 
benefit of conversation is touched upon by Feltham; 'Men 
commonly write more formally than they practice. From con- 
versing only with books, they fall into affectation and pedantry,' 
and he might have added into many mistakes.'' — Hand Book 
for Readers and Students, by A. Potter, D.D.,p. 19.^[Am. Ed,] 

4* 



42 ON STUDY. 

the harmony of their periods, never venture to display 
their ideas upon paper ; or if they do, it is with the 
certainty of bringing upon themselves a torrent of ridi- 
cule and contempt. Nor, indeed, is it reasonable to 
expect from them anything but mere empty sounds, 
for they are so taken up with the admiration of the 
delightful melody of their own voices, that they have 
no time to consider whether they are giving vent to 
sense or nonsense. Let the tyro bear in mind that the * 
splendid orations of Demosthenes and Cicero were 
the results of previous meditation and severe study ; 
and we have no reason to expect that they should be 
surpassed in the present day by the unpremeditated 
effusion of illiterate quacks. I am not here going to 
insinuate that it is not a valuable attainment to be able 
to express ourselves happily and becomingly. On the 
contrary, I should be the first to pay the warmest tri- 
bute of admiration to eloquence, when united with 
learning and sound judgment. My object is to guard 
the student against the example of those men who are 
so ardently devoted to the gratification of their darling 
passion, that they greedily seize upon every opportu- 
nity of holding forth even in the streets and highways, 
upon subjects of great importance and no importance, 
in season and out of season ; despising the acquisition 
of the sciences and the belles lettres, for no other rea- 
son than that the shallowness of their capacities cannot 
either comprehend or retain them. I do not recollect a 
single instance, of a man rising to eminence as an au- 
thor, who was ambitious of becoming a florid and poeti- 
cal speaker, without regard to that solidity and depth 
of judgment which always characterize the true orator. 



ON STUDY. 43 

Indeed no one can ever become eloquent, without first 
becoming learned. Let us then despise this puerile 
fame, and fix our minds upon attaining those things 
which will render our names imperishable. To this 
end let us bear in mind that — Ovx ail ^e^oj laztal, Ttoisads 
xaudi, — " We must build our nests while it is yet sum- 
mer." For if we neglect so to do, the winter of life 
will come upon us unexpectedly, and we shall be left 
houseless and exposed to the storms of ridicule, which 
will be showered upon us with unrelenting and unmiti- 
gated fury, by those very men who applauded our 
youthful vanities, and pampered us with deceitful ex- 
pectations of future importance. 



44 ON STUDY, 



CHAPTER XL 

By what signs they, who are likely to rise to literary emi- 
nence, may be distinguished. 

There are in ail men certain indications, as well of 
conduct as of ability, by which we may be enabled to 
form a pretty correct judgment as to the proficiency 
they are likely to make in the acquisition of learning. 
For the better understanding of which prognostics, I 
shall divide those in whom they are most conspicuous, 
into three different gradations. The lowest class con- 
sists of those, who are attached to their studies, yet set 
aside a considerable portion of their time in which to 
enjoy the pleasures of the table, the ball-room, the 
theatre, or any other gratification or amusement which 
chance may throw in their way. Men of this class I 
would denominate lovers of learning and lovers of 
pleasure. The next class consists of those who are 
so devoted to literature, that it is with diflficulty they 
can be prevailed on to quit their darling studies, even 
for the purpose of satisfying the cravings of nature ; 
much less can they be induced to relinquish their lite- 
rary pursuits, be it for ever so short a time, for the sake 
of the gratification of empty amusements, or vain and 
unprofitable conversations. Men of this class, I would 
describe as ardent lovers of literature, and contemners 
of whatever may have a tendency to lessen their ardor. 
The remaining class consists of men who, despising 



ON STUDY. 



45 



the length and ruggedness of the way, and the horror 
of the darkness amidst which they are groping onward, 
rise with the sun to prosecute their journey with re- 
newed vigor, nor rest from their labors till nature and 
the midnight bell have warned them, that the body 
as well as the mind requires a temporary cessation 
from exertion. These men I would call downright 
enthusiasts. 

Having thus described the gradations before alluded 
to, I will proceed to examine the probability which 
each class has of arriving at distinction. 

The first-mentioned class comprises by far the greater 
portion of the literary world. And they who compose 
it may generally be distinguished by the ardor with 
which they enter into any pursuit, whether of study or 
amusement ; either of which is to them a matter of 
perfect indifference ; for they are equally fond of both, 
and pursue both with a considerable degree of vigor 
and vigilance. The greatest bar to the progress of 
these men is, the loss of that time which, by setting 
it apart for pleasure, they voluntarily and deliberately 
waste ; and this alone is sufficient to prevent them 
from gaining anything above mediocrity. If they 
spend half their time in inconsiderate gratifications 
and amusements they must be content with half the 
learning they would otherwise have gained. For it is 
unreasonable to expect that any one should attain to a 
greater degree of knowledge than is proportionate to 
the time spent in its acquisition. 

We will now proceed to the consideration of the 
next class. This, as has been before observed, con- 
sists of men who are ardently devoted to learning. 



46 ON STUDY. 

They enter upon their journey with diligence, and a 
determination to surmount all difficulties, which they 
may have to encounter. They look neither to the right 
hand nor to the left, but keep their eyes steadily fixed 
upon the goal to which they are hastening : at which, 
as a matter of course, they are sure to arrive, in spite 
of every obstruction. 

They who form the third class, are for the most part 
men on whom nature has bestowed a fine genius ; and 
who cannot on that account brook the tortoise pace of 
the class before mentioned, whose object is rather to 
make sure their steps, than to proceed too rapidly. It 
is seldom that these men effect much, because the mo- 
tive by which they are stimulated to exertion is gene- 
rally a bad one, viz., to arrive at that degree of emi- 
nence in a short time, which others esteem easily 
acquired at the expense of years of labor and anxiety. 
They wish to seize on all the treasures of learning 
without delay, and as they generally find themselves 
disappointed, it is often the case, that from the exer- 
cise of intense labor and sleepless anxiety, they sink 
down into a state of apathy and indolence, from which 
they seldom attempt to rouse themselves ; and thus 
they embrace only the shadow of learning, without 
ever being able to grasp the substance. 

There is yet another class of persons in the literary 
world, viz., that of the habitually indolent and unthink- 
ing, who imagine that they have made a sufficient at- 
tainment in learning, if they pin their faith upon the 
sleeve of some wretched dogmatist — a degree removed 
from themselves. But as men of this class are too 
contemptible to occupy our attention more than for a 



ON STUDY. 47 

moment, we shall pass over them as beneath our no- 
tice. 

I now recommend to the young student to enrol 
himself in the second of the above-mentioned classes, 
as being the one most likely to raise him to eminence. 
For whilst the first contents itself with such exertion 
only as is calculated to raise its members to a kind of 
mediocrity ; and whilst the third, by the exercise of an 
injudicious zeal, defeats its own intentions ; the second 
will be found to maintain a rational medium between 
both ; uniting in itself the vigor of the first, without 
its unjustifiable waste of time, and the zeal of the 
third without its enthusiastic indiscretion. 



48 ON STUDY. 



CHAPTER XII. 

Youth is the time for exertion. 

Nothing is more favorable to our entrance upon 
the field of literature, than youth. With a mind eager 
in the pursuit of knowledge, thoroughly imbued with 
a love of learning, and determined at all events to 
acquire it ; what is there to obstruct the tyro in the 
accomplishment of his most honorable enterprise ? O 
happy youth, how often do I envy the pliability of thy 
limbs, the ruddy glow of health which blooms upon 
thy cheeks, thy progress along the path of life, the 
greater part of which is by thee, as yet, unexplored 
and untrodden ; but, above all, the hope which the 
promise of a long life holds out to thee, of ranking 
thyself amongst the illustrious of the earth ! — Or per- 
haps, I should rather have exclaimed, unhappy man, 
who hast foolishly wasted the best of thy years in folly 
and imprudence! — Would that it could be given to me, 
I will not say to exchange places with thee, but to return 
to my former state of youth and activity ! With what de- 
light should I again occupy my seat in the school, and 
listen to the precepts of my instructor ! Never more 
would I waste the precious moments in play or indo- 
lence ! No ! I would rather endeavor to distinguish 
myself above others by increasing diligence and unwea- 
ried application. But in vain I thus complain that my 
years are rapidly drawing to a close — in vain I prefer 



ON STUDY. 49 

such prayers — in vain my tears flow — the time is gone, 
never, ah, never to return. What little space yet re- 
mains between me and the tomb, I will regard, not as 
so many years, but as so many victories gained over 
the ruthless combatant. Time. May such be the con- 
duet of all those, the more valuable part of whose life 
has passed away without fruit. But ye youths, who 
are just entered upon the great stage of human exist- 
ence — if ye possess minds — if ye would wish to dis- 
tinguish yourselves — if ye would desire to enjoy the 
delicious fruits of labor, learn to place a just value 
upon time. that the flower of my age might again 
return! What hopes would stimulate me to exertion! 
What ardor would glow within my breast ! But, alas, 
even whilst I have been indulging in vain wishes, the 
time has passed away ! Let me then exhort you, as 
ye hope not to live without honor, nor to die without 
remembrance, cheerfully to submit to labor — seek it — 
let the soul pant after it* — rush fearlessly upon it. 
Fortitude and perseverance will conquer all things. 

* '^ Studium et ardorem quendam amoris, sine quo in vita 
quidquam egregium nemo unquam assequetur." — Cic. deOrat., 
XXX. — [Am. Ed.] 



50 ON STUDY. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

We must not suffer a moment to escape us without profit. 

The proper cultivation of time is of such vast 
importance, that without it, it is impossible for any one, 
however great his talents, to acquire the reputation of 
being either learned or wise. The mind of man is a 
garden which Providence has bestowed upon him to 
cultivate, and if he be not diligent to mark the times 
and seasons proper for planting and bringing to per- 
fection the various fruits and flowers peculiar to its 
soil, he will find that weeds will spring up of their 
own accord, and not only retard the growth of the 
more valuable plants, but eventually destroy the plants 
themselves. So that, instead of delighting the eye of 
him who looks upon it, by its beauty and fertility, it 
will present nothing but the harsh aspect of a barren 
wilderness. Time is continually on the wing, and 
when once past can never be recovered. Let me then 
exhort the student upon no account to suffer a mo- 
ment to pass him without improvement. The life of 
man is made up of moments, and the fruit thus mo- 
mentarily gathered, will, in the lapse of years, amount 
to a noble and imperishable possession. 

I would even recommend the improvement of the 
hours usually devoted to sleep. I need not inform 
him who is alive to the fascinations of study, that there 
are hours when the activity of the mind renders slum- 



ON STUDY. 51 

ber impossible. Lit not these be wasted, but let the 
student have at hand tablets on which he may note 
down whatever ideas and observations may enter his 
mind, and let him re-transcribe them by daylight. The 
greater part of this treatise was actually thus written ; 
and by this means a considerable portion of our time 
which is usually lost, might be rendered not only emi- 
nently productive, but highly interesting. 

Should any one court your society, who is more 
desirous to embrace the follies and vanities of youth 
than to excel in literary pursuits, avoid his company 
and fly immediately to your studies ; for it is better that 
such an one stigmatize you with a want of politeness, 
than that you should waste your time. Regard not 
what indolent or unthinking men may say of you ; but 
always keep in view the opinion of posterity. How 
many useful volumes might we not write during those 
hours which are too often devoted to idle and unpro- 
fitable conversation ! If we were to keep an account 
of the time so wasted but for a year, we should find it 
to amount to a very considerable portion of the whole. 
There is no portion of time so brief that we might not 
make some advancement towards excellence. The 
space of life remaining even to young men is but 
short, perhaps ten, twenty, or thirty years at most; and 
yet, they almost invariably live as though they were 
certain of surviving a thousand. 



52 ON STUDY. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

We must look to our own studies, and not concern ourselves 
too much about the progress of others. 

There are some men who are almost continually 
employed in watching the progress of others along 
the path of literature, without manifesting any solici- 
tude about their own. Contented with scrutinizing 
the conduct of their companions, they regard their 
own advancement as a matter of secondary importance. 
The folly of such conduct will be best illustrated by 
an example. Suppose a number of men were to set 
out with the intention of gaining the summit of a lofty 
mountain, and one of that number, after having pro- 
ceeded a few paces, were to make a stand, and amuse 
himself with observing how the others surmounted the 
precipices which obstructed their progress ; the conse- 
quence would evidently be, that after having seen his 
companions, one by one, arrive at the place of their 
destination, he himself would be left nearly at the bot- 
tom ; and there in all probability he would remain ; 
for the circumstance of his having to perform his jour- 
ney alone, after having seen his fellow-travellers attain 
their object, would be sufficient to deter him from en- 
countering the dangers and difficulties of the ascent. 
And so it is with regard to our progress in literature. 
If we content ourselves with merely watching the 
exertions of others, whilst ascending the rugged hill 



ON STUDY. 63 

of science, without endeavoring to keep pace with 
them, we shall find ourselves scrambling amongst the 
thorns and briars at the bottom, or at best gathering a 
few worthless and insignificant flowers, whilst we shall 
have the additional mortification of beholding them in 
the full enjoyment of those honors which are the re- 
ward of industry and perseverance ; and which, had 
it not been for our own supineness and indifference, we 
might have shared in common with themselves. If, 
therefore, we wish to avoid the mortification and dis- 
grace of being left behind in our career, by others 
with perhaps less capacity for exertion, but more per- 
severance, we must take heed to our own steps, and 
use every endeavorto keep pace with, and, if possible, 
to surpass our fellows ; so that we may arrive first at 
the temple of learning, which is ever open to receive 
us ; for by so doing we shall secure ourselves a higher 
distinction, and become entitled to a greater reward. 
Notwithstanding, we must take care that our con- 
cern for our own honor, do not degenerate into self- 
ishness, than which nothing is more despicable. It 
is the mark of a truly benevolent mind, to be anxious 
for the welfare of another, but this anxiety for the w^el- 
fare of others, should be in common with the anxiety 
for our own welfare ; for should we be anxious to pro- 
mote another's interest to the neglect of our own, it is 
no longer benevolence, but imprudence. Let us then, 
whilst we ourselves are strenuously endeavoring to ar- 
rive at distinction, be ever ready to assist our weaker 
brethren, and so we shall not only reap the rewards 
of industry and perseverance, but those also of phi- 
lanthropy and benevolence. 



"54 ON STUDY. 



CHAPTER XV. 

We must not waste too much time in sleep. 

It is too often the case, and more especially with 
young men, that they consume a great deal more time 
in sleep than is necessary for the refreshment of nature. 
This is studiously to be avoided ; for the hours which 
are thus wasted, are by far the most valuable portion 
of the whole day, I mean those of the morning. Six 
or seven hours at most are at all times sufficient for 
the refreshment of a person in health ; and what more 
is consumed, may be considered an unjustifiable waste 
of time. But this is not the only disadvantage. Too 
much sleep, more than too little, renders both the cor- 
poreal and mental faculties drowsy and languid during 
the whole of the day, and if persisted in, gives an 
habitual heaviness to him who thus indulges himself. 
This will be sufficiently exemplified if we contemplate 
but for a moment the countenance of the hard student 
and that of the sluggard. We certainly shall not find in 
the former that ruddiness of complexion, and rotundity 
of feature, which characterize the latter; but there 
will be a certain fire and expression in his look, which 
may be admirably contrasted with the vacant, half-ani- 
mated gaze of the drone; nor will his mind be less 
vivid than his eye, inasmuch as the one is the index 
to the other. But to this animation both of mind and 
countenance, the habitual sluggard must ever remain 



ON STUDY. 5B 

a stranger. If he possess any abilities, he is in dan- 
ger of losing them — If he have any ideas, they are as 
confused, and consequently as useless and unmeaning 
as his dreams — He may be said to sleep away one half 
of his life, that he may be rendered unable to enjoy 
the other — In short he most resembles his kinsman 
the dormouse — a creature entirely useless to society, 
and born only to sleep and to devour the goods of the 
more industrious part of the community. 

Such is the sluggard: and here let me ask the stu- 
dent whether he is willing to be classed with such a 
character? If so, let him sleep on and take his ease; 
his disease is beyond the reach of our remedies ; but 
if not, let him avoid the society of such men, lest he 
be accounted one of ^their number. Rather than give 
to nature an hour more than is necessary, let him de- 
prive her of one. In a word, let him endeavor to 
live, rather than drag out his existence in a state of 
torpor, for in no other way can he hope to find any real 
enjoyment within his own breast, or render himself 
useful to society. 

To those who are accustomed to spend more time 
in slumber than the nature of their studies, and these 
our admonitions will admit of, an alarum clock, which 
might be set to any hour they chose, would be found 
highly serviceable. I myself, when I have been upon 
a journey, or sojourning in any place where a machine 
of this kind could not be obtained, have actually slept 
upon two flat pieces of wood laid transversely upon 
my bed, lest I should slumber too long. Nor have I 
felt any inconvenience from this, for I have uniformly 
found by experience, that, when weary, I have slept 



56 ON STUDY. 

soundly, notwithstanding the hardness of my couch, 
and when sufficiently refreshed, the hardness of my 
couch has compelled me to quit it. But this to most 
men would be a harsh experiment, and one which 
perhaps few, how^ever attached they may be to literary 
pursuits, would care to try. I therefore recommend 
the alarum in preference ; or, what is infinitely better 
than either, a firm resolution not to continue to slum- 
ber after a certain hour of the morning. 



ON STUDY. 57 



CHAPTER XVI. 

What time is best adapted to study. 

There are some, who set apart a certain portion of 
each day, in which to enjoy the conversation of their 
friends, to walk out, or to relieve the mind with social 
and recreative amusements ; and in these particulars, 
let every one act according to his own custom and incli- 
nation. Recreation is as necessary to the mind as food 
is to the body. But let the student take care not to let it 
encroach upon the hours set apart for study. I would 
recommend, that the whole of the morning should be 
devoted to learning, as being by far the most valuable 
part of the day, since the mind, refreshed and invigor- 
ated by the slumber of the preceding night, then acts 
with redoubled vigor. Should the tedium of reading 
for a whole morning be too great, let it be varied by 
writing, or by imparting knowledge to others, and in- 
deed, this is not the least valuable method of study; 
for whilst we are engaged in instructing others, we 
are at the same time fixing those instructions indeli- 
bly upon our own minds. 

It is an excellent method to divide our time into dis- 
tinct portions, each of which is to be allotted to some 
peculiar branch of learning. This division must of 
course be regulated by existing circumstances, and 
even then would frequently be liable to derangement, by 
attending lectures, examinations, &c., but let the stu- 



58 ON STUDY. 

dent be careful to allow no trivial occurrences to alter 
or derange his plans. By pursuing this methodical 
course he will not only find his daily progress in lite- 
rature much more rapid than it otherwise would have 
been, but he will also reap the benefit of it in after 
life, for it will give him a systematic way of thinking 
and acting, which will vastly contribute to the matu- 
rity and solidity of his judgment ; and from which, 
when he has once perceived its advantages, nothing 
will ever be able to divert hira. 



ON STUDY. 



59 



CHAPTER XVII. 

On bodily exercise. 

AsEDENTARY life, if unaccompanied by judicious and 
moderate exercise, enfeebles the energies of the body, 
and too often lays the foundation of diseases which 
subject the student to pain and inconvenience to the 
latest period of his existence. On this account he 
should be careful not to let a day pass without having 
taken exercise sufficient for the preservation of his 
bodily health. Indeed, he ought to make a rule of 
devoting an hour at least daily to this purpose. Nor 
is there any necessity that the time thus devoted should 
be wasted, for the mind may be as actively and use- 
fully engaged during this period, as when occupied in 
severe study. Thus, for instance, in the exercise of 
walking, (than which there is no exertion better adapt- 
ed to the exigencies of the human frame,) if he have 
a mind capable of appreciating and enjoying the beau- 
ties of rural scenery and productions, what a noble 
field does every step he takes present to his view, and 
what an admirable opportunity is everywhere affi^rded 
him for the expansion of his mental powers ! Is he a 
Christian ? — How can he form more splendid ideas of 
the omnipotence of his Creator than by contemplating 
the work of his hands ; or of his benevolence and 
wisdom, than by observing how admirably every part 
of nature is adapted to the specific purpose for which 



60 ON STUDY. 

it was created ? Is he a philosopher ? — He will ac- 
quire more correct philosophical notions, by reading 
the volume of Nature, with the commentaries of reve- 
lation and science, than by poring over the absurd and 
atheistical theories of the Epicurean system as dis- 
played by Lucretius and others. Is he a poet? — He 
will here behold those beauties in their simple, un- 
adorned loveliness; of which Theocritus, Moschus, 
Virgil, with all the other pastoral writers of ancient 
and modern times, have at best given a faint outline. 
Does he wish to become an orator? — The silent elo- 
quence of nature will inspire him with ideas and sen- 
timents equally grand and striking with any he may 
meet w^ith in the impassioned pages of Demosthenes, 
or the more refined periods of Cicero. So that whilst 
the exercise of walking \£ eminently conducive to the 
preservation of health, it may at the same time be ren- 
dered subservient to the noblest purposes for which 
the mind of man was brought into action. Indeed 
there is no necessity that any time devoted to the 
exercise of the body should be lost, for the corporeal 
and mental powers of man are so independent of each 
other, that whilst the body is occupied in using the 
means necessary for the preservation of its health, the 
mind may be as actively employed in using the means 
necessary for its improvement, and that without injury 
to either. 

But there are many things perpetually occurring, 
which render the exercise of walking impossible ; or 
at least, incompatible with prudence. Such as the 
inclemency of the season, or the unfavorableness of 
the weather. In either of these cases I would recom- 



ON STUDY. 61 

mend the use of such gymnastic exercises as are best 
calculated to bring the limbs and muscles of the body 
into action. 

Gymnastic exercises, besides their use in develop- 
ing the forms of the body and strengthening the con- 
stitution, have also a direct tendency to strengthen 
and invigorate the mind. In support of this, we have 
only to refer to the histories of ancient Greece and 
Rome ; and we shall find that their most successful 
generals, their warmest patriots, their best philoso- 
phers, their most eminent senators and orators, were 
in their youth accustomed to pass much of their time 
in the exercises of the Palaestra and of the Campus 
Martins, whereby they acquired that physical and men- 
tal strength, which, when brought into operation, de- 
cided the fate of kingdoms, and gave to their posses- 
sors such a pre-eminence, both in peace and war, 
over their more effeminate neighbors, as ultimately 
ended in universal dominion. 

If, then, manly and robust exercises have a direct 
tendency to invigorate the faculties both of the body 
and of the mind, surely literary men, from their pe- 
culiar habits, stand more in need of the use of them, 
than any other class of individuals whatsoever; inas- 
much as their whole dependence is placed upon the 
strength of their mental powers. For vigor of intel- 
lect cannot exist in a state of perfection without 
health; and health cannot be maintained without 
bodily exertion. Every man, therefore, who aspires 
to distinction on the ground of the superiority of his 
intellect, is not consulting his own interest, unless he 
use every endeavor to improve and preserve it. 
6 



62 ON STUDY. 

It of course does not come within the scope of this 
treatise, to prescribe the exercises best adapted to the 
preservation of health ; that being left to the choice 
and inclination of the individual using them, or the 
direction of others to whose profession it more parti- 
cularly belongs. Enough, however, has been said, to 
show their utility and necessity ; there can, therefore, 
be no farther hesitation in adopting them ; sufficient 
care being always taken, that the body be not injured 
by the empty vanity of performing feats of strength or 
agility.* 

* It is proper to state that this (xvii) chapter is the production 
of Mr, Earp, the English translator, who considered Ringelber- 
gius' remarks unsuited to '-the manners and habits of the youth 
of our own times and nation." [Am. Ed.] 



ON STUDY. 



63 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

On slothfulness. 

Of all unhappy beings, the man who lives under 
the influence of sloth is most to be pitied. His time, 
his fortune, his interests, his honor, his existence, 
are all swallowed up in the vortex of this detestable 
vice. He is rendered incapable of assisting himself 
or others. The world is to him a mere blank. He 
is equally deaf to the affections of nature, and the 
wants of them who are so unfortunate as to be depend- 
ent upon him. The industrious man, if he meet with 
anything more difficult than ordinary, or be involved 
in unforeseen misfortunes, immediately applies himself 
with redoubled energy to conquer the one, or extricate 
himself from the other. But the slothful man, should 
anything in the least discouraging oppose his pro- 
gress; or should he be surrounded by difficulties, 
which are the natural consequence of his conduct, 
sits down in despair: and although the methods by 
which he may avoid or subdue them be at hand, his 
habitual indolence effectually precludes all inclination 
on his part to adopt them ; and he continues in a state 
of hopeless despondency, till an obscure death event- 
tually puts a period to a miserable life; when he 
descends into the grave unhonored and unregretted, 
if not amidst the execrations of his family, whom he 



64 



ON STUDY. 



has wilfully made the partakers of his poverty and 
obscurity. 

Slothfulness is a vice, to which, of all others, it is 
the most surprising that rational beings should addict 
themselves; for it confers no pleasure, neither is it 
productive of benefit, which are the main springs of 
human action. On the contrary it invariably super- 
induces a listless vacuity of mind, amounting to per- 
petual uneasiness; and almost as invariably brings on a 
ruinous state of circumstances which at length plunges 
him who yields himself up to it, into the depths of 
poverty. And yet we find men clinging to it with all 
that tenacity which would actually lead us to suppose 
that it was the foundation upon which their future 
good fortune was to be erected. Suppose a man 
about to cross a deep and rapid river, were to refuse 
the aid of the customary medium of communication 
with the opposite shore — a ferry boat; and obstinately 
persist in swimming across, taking with him a heavy 
mass of lead or some other ponderous metal, for the 
avowed purpose of supporting him whilst in the water; 
would not the bystanders who might witness such a 
determination, deride the folly of such conduct, and 
think it scarcely worth their while to save the indi- 
vidual so acting, against his own inclination? And 
yet many of those who would censure such conduct, 
as the very height of insanity, are themselves daily 
and hourly, yea, momentarily, committing the same 
species of folly. We have all to cross the stream of 
life — the ferry-boat of industry is ever waiting to waft 
us over, not only in safety, but with enjoyment — and 
yet we rather choose to throw ourselves amongst the 



ON STUDY. 65 

rocks and breakers near its shore, encumbered with 
the weight of our own unjustifiable indolence; which, 
if it do not always sink us to the bottom, is at least 
sure of preventing our enjoyment of any real pleasure 
during the whole of the voyage. 

But, however unjustifiable slothfulness may be in a 
man of business, it is infinitely more so in one who is 
engaged in the pursuits of literature. Fortuitous 
circumstances, such as legacies, fortunate specula- 
tions, &c., may, to men in general, make up for the 
loss necessarily occasioned by a want of energy; but 
nothing upon earth can compensate the literary student 
for the time thus inconsiderately wasted. He cannot 
expect, on the decease of a learned doctor, his relative, 
to come in for the defunct's share of knowledge, nor 
can he at any time go to the Exchange, and purchase 
literary stock as he would national. It is industry 
alone that can confer knowledge. And whatever 
may be the force of his genius, if he do not practice 
the one, he must, as a necessary and unavoidable 
consequence, be devoid of the other. 

From what has been said, the necessity of using the 
utmost exertion whilst engaged in literary employ- 
ments, must be obvious to every one. Without exer- 
tion, there cannot possibly be any honorable distinc- 
tion ; and with it, we are as certain of reaping its 
fruits, as we are of being compelled to gather those 
of indolence without it. 

But there is a particular class of literary persons, to 
"whom these remarks are peculiarly applicable, viz. : 
to young men pursuing their studies at a university. 
Our conduct here may be said to be the touchstone 

6* 



66 ON STUDY, 

of our future credit and character. The knowledge 
here acquired is the foundation upon which our future 
reputation for learning is to be built, and unless that 
foundation be solid, the whole superstructure, when 
erected, must fall to the ground, or, at best, stand in 
so precarious a state, as to be in continual danger of 
falling. Let us then studiously and determinately 
avoid everything which may tend to weaken this 
support of our reputation; and let us strenuously and 
diligently embrace every opportunity of strengthening 
and confirming it. We shall thus find, that whilst so 
engaged, pleasure will be the helpmate and compa- 
nion of our labors, and honor the reward of our 
perseverance. 

There are, however, some persons anxiously desi- 
rous of arriving at literary eminence, who, from the 
disadvantages arising from the neglect of their early 
education, or, what is infinitely worse, the misguided 
indulgence of parents during their immature years, do 
not feel that stimulus to exertion which so eminently 
distinguishes youth educated in industrious habits. 
Men thus unhappily situated, should accustom them- 
selves to reading the biography of others, who, though 
surrounded by difliculties of a nature the most dis- 
couraging and appalling, have nevertheless distin- 
guished themselves in the different departments of 
literature. Let them imitate the example of such 
characters. Let them endeavor, by entering into the 
spirit of their history, to catch their ardor, and tread 
in their footsteps; and they w^ill soon find their early 
prejudices and injurious customs vanish altogether; 
and themselves gradually habituated to a system of 



ON STUDY, 67 

industry, from which nothing will ever be able to 
detach them. 

Persons of this latter description would do well to 
store their memory with a few apothegms chosen from 
the works of the ancient philosophers; so that when- 
ever they find themselves disposed to indolence rather 
than to exertion, they may, by the recollection of some 
one of these, rouse the mind from its state of lethargy 
and inertness. Of this description are the following, 

fioxdecv avdyxrj t'ovj dsTiovtfa? Ivtvxn^v. '' They who Wlsh 

to enjoy happiness, should accustom themselves to 
industry." — 'OrtTta Jo^w 6 Staoj'. "He who is afraid of 
difficulty, is thereby rendered incapable of surmount- 
ing it." — Ot ba^Odvovt^s vax^oiacv ofioioc ddcv. " Sluggards 

are little better than lifeless carcasses." — 'Odrj to rtdv. 
*' Nothing is impossible to diligence." — 'Xzo-K'^iv eu^ovta 
xv8oi xix^l." *' Disgrace is the reward of indolence." — 
"Oriov Tfksiciv 6 rtovoj ixtl {xsl^oiv tj ■yj^ovr;. *' The greater the 
labor, the greater the enjoyment." — Ev aoc to lavkov Ihh 
iltoTia^ov sltiOyji. "If we make good use of the present, 
we shall have no reason to doubt as to the future." — 
As the diligent student doubtless will observe many 
passages of this nature in the course of his acquaint- 
ance with the Greek and Roman classics, a further 
selection will be needless.* 

* I cannot omit this opportunity of quoting a passage from 
our own incomparable Shakspeare, which, if received with the 
spirit in which it is given, cannot fail to be of service to him who 
peruses it : 

This morning, like the spirit of a youth 
That means to be of note, begins betimes. 

Let this be written in legible characters in a conspicuous part 



68 ON STUDY. 

Were more than has been already said, necessary to 
rouse youth from their indolent habits, let them look 
abroad upon the works of creation, and from the ant, 
which is indefatigably employed in the occupations of 
the mole-hill, to the sun, rising from his chambers in 
the east, to give light, heat, and fertility to our globe; 
he will find all but man, diligentlypursuing the course 
pointed out by the great Creator. And is it for him, 
who exclaims that all things were made for his use, 
w^ho proudly boasts himself superior to all created 
things besides, to be idle, whilst all around him are 
busily engaged in performing the tasks assigned them 
on the great stage of universal being? If he would 
but make use of that reason which he calls his sole 
prerogative, he would think that every blade of grass 
he treads upon, every insect which flutters around his 
path, every animal he meets with, might justly re- 
proach him with being the only useless creature amidst 
such a display of universal industry. Let us then no 
longer suffer ourselves to be disgraced by a just re- 
proach from the insects we tread upon. Let not the 
sun, w^hilst performing his daily revolution in the hea- 
vens, be witness to our want of industry. If the vas- 
sals of nature are actively engaged in these various 
avocations, much more ought the lords of nature to 
be so. Let us detach ourselves from things trifling 
and insignificant, and give ourselves up to things 
worthy our nature and capacity. We all value our 

of the bedchamber of every literary student, so that it may 
strike his eye every morning as he awakes; and if he can re- 
compose himself to sleep, neither this nor any other stimulus 
will be of the least service to him. 



ON STUDY. 69 

possessions, much more ought we to estimate our 
time. Yet such is the irrationality of our conduct, 
that if we should happen by some mischance to lose 
a portion of our property, which by industry may be 
easily recovered, we fill the air with our lamentations; 
but we not only bear the loss of time, which can never 
be recovered, with equanimity, but with manifest in- 
dications of joy and satisfaction. 



70 



ON STUDY. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Our recreative amusements should, as far as possible, be ren- 
dered subservient to the purposes of literature. 

It has been observed in a former chapter, that re- 
creation is as necessary to the body as food is to the 
mind. Indeed the most rigid devotee of literature 
will scarcely deny, but that a temporary relaxation is 
highly necessary. The human mind is, as an ancient 
fabulist has ingeniously observed, like a bow; if it 
be always bent it will soon lose its elasticity, but if 
unstrung at intervals, it will long retain its wonted pro- 
perties. But relaxation of the mind, as well as exer- 
cise of the body, should, as far as possible, be ren- 
dered subservient to the purposes of literature. It will 
thus be found to be doubly advantageous; for whilst 
it becomes an agreeable mode of communicating 
knowledge, it will at the same time prevent us from 
engaging in trivial and unmeaning amusements, which 
would not only consume a considerable portion of our 
time, but also detach us from, and incapacitate us for, 
matters of greater importance. 

Suppose, for instance, the junior members of a col- 
lege were to make a practice of meeting alternately at 
each other's apartments, for the purpose of discussing 
some interesting philosophical speculations, of unravel- 
ing the more curious properties of the mathematical 
sciences, or writing or conversing upon moral, reli- 



ON STUDY. 71 

gious, or literary subjects, either in their own native 
tongue, or in the learned languages ; they would find 
any of these occupations productive of more real plea- 
sure than most of those which are, though falsely, 
termed amusements ; and they would also find, that 
by these methods, they were gaining what, after all, 
is the main end of study — practical knowledge. In 
order to perceive the advantage of such a course of 
conduct, let the student weigh the pleasure derived 
from these sources, against that resulting from vain 
conversation, idle lounging, and dissipated practices, 
and if he do not perceive the balance preponderate in 
favor of the former, let him still continue to practice 
the latter ; but that this, if he give the matter an im- 
partial consideration, will be the case, we are not un- 
der the slightest apprehension. 

But independent of such a course as the one pre- 
scribed being an agreeable mode of communicating 
knowledge, it has yet another advantage, which is by 
no means its least valuable one, viz., that of exciting 
emulation. There are many men who would not 
think it so degrading not to rank high in the classes 
of an university, as not to be able to equal their 
familiar companions in their researches after truth. 
Consequently, although in the former case, they might 
content themselves with being placed a remove above 
mediocrity, they would, in the latter, exert their inge- 
nuity to the utmost stretch, lest they might incur the 
derision of their more intimate associates. Let such 
a principle as this be once fairly brought into action, 
what results might we not reasonably expect from it. 
Instead of seeing young men leave the university with 



72 ON STUDY. 

the possession of a little learning, acquired but to be 
forgotten, we should behold their minds, as it were, 
tablets, on which the records of general knowledge 
were so legibly and indelibly engraven, that everyone 
who looked thereon might read. 

Of all those occupations which come under the de- 
nomination of trivial, the fascinating but destructive 
vice of gaming holds the most distinguished place. 
This is the rock upon which many a young man of 
the most promising abilities has split; and on which, 
it is to be feared, the genius and fortunes of many more 
will hereafter be wrecked. And yet this vice, like 
slothfulness, is productive neither of profit, pleasure, 
nor recreation. 

It is not productive of profit, for it would be easy 
to prove upon mathematical principles, that the habit- 
ual gamester, if he play fairly, must, whatever may be 
his temporary successes, eventually become a loser. 
There can be no greater exemplification of this than 
that numbers of men, who would fain be thought to 
be possessed of genius and ability, are daily reduced, 
by their indulgence in this their favorite passion, either 
in private circles, or in those public sinks of iniquity 
which are established for the infamous purposes of en- 
snaring the inexperienced, and of fostering the vicious 
propensities of crafty and designing men, from the en- 
joyment of affluence and happiness to a state of beg- 
gary and despair. 

It is not productive of pleasure, though it certainly 
is of excitement; but it is the excitement of a demon, 
founded upon a desire of enriching ourselves at the 
expense of our neighbor's welfare. Who that has 



ON STUDY. 73 

observed the countenance of a gamester, when a lucky 
cast of the die has elated him by the success which it 
has conferred upon him, can say, that the wild emo- 
tions there depicted proceed from the enjoyment of 
real pleasure! Or who, that has witnessed his features 
when an unfavorable throw has at once drained him 
of his peace of mind, and his pecuniary resources, can 
pronounce, that the conflicting passions by which they 
are distorted, are the indices to the happy serenity of 
his mind ! As well might the diabolical agents of the 
infernal regions, to whom pleasure is unknown, feel 
joy in having added a victim to their number, or in 
seeing him, w^hom they had marked out for destruc- 
tion, elude the malice of their grasp ! 

It is not productive of recreation, either mental or 
corporeal, for by superinducing an unusual degree of 
anxiety, it always leaves the mind more languid than 
it found it; and whatever, by sudden excitement or 
otherwise, contributes to destroy our equanimity, has, 
if often repeated, an indirect tendency to injure and 
weaken the vigor of our animal powers. 

But gaming is chiefly to be regarded by us as it 
stands when viewed in relation to our studies ; with 
which it must manifestly appear altogether incompati- 
ble. In order to study with profit to ourselves, it is 
necessary that our thoughts be detached from every 
other subject, except the one under consideration, and 
be, as it were, riveted to that alone. But how can 
this be the case, when our minds are perpetually under 
the influence of this pernicious passion; either occu- 
pied beforehand with the hope of indulgence and in- 
ordinate desire of gain, engaged in the commission of 
7 



74 ON STUDY. 

the vice itself, or in a state of elevation or depression 
— both of which, though proceeding from opposite 
causes, are equally hostile to study — consequent upon 
our success or want of it. The mind of a man thus 
occupied, can never be free from anxiety, and conse- 
quently, can never become adapted to study; and 
though he be gifted by nature with the powers of an 
^schylus, the eloquence of a Cicero, or the genius 
of an Archimedes ; the talents confided to his care, 
will become useless to himself and others, and instead 
of returning them, at the last great day of account, with 
tenfold interest, his conscience will be compelled to 
testify against him, that he, of his own accord, buried 
them amongst the rubbish of vanity and dissipation. 

But there is yet another light in which gaming, in 
common with other trivial amusements and occupa- 
tions, is to be regarded by us, viz., as they stand when 
viewed in relation to the human intellect. Man, cry 
people of all ranks, from the monarch to the boor, is 
a creature made for lofty purposes! and with the words 
yet lingering on their tongue, they sit down with a 
stoical gravity, well befitting the dignity of that in- 
tellect of which they are justly proud, to improve the 
faculties of the soul by speculating upon the highly 
interesting and truly sublime effects produced by the 
fortuitous and varied combinations of a few pieces of 
painted paper : nay, such is the ardor with which 
they endeavor to unravel the intricacies of this intel- 
lectual science, that they do not scruple to sacrifice 
their health, their happiness, their fortune, and even 
their future expectations, for the sake of being ini- 
tiated into its admirable mysteries. Who can deny 



ON STUDY. 75 

that such occupations and disregard of worldly advan- 
tages are worthy of creatures who derive their origin 
from heaven, and who are destined to the enjoyment 
of immortality? But the noble spirit of man does not 
rest here; he is frequently known to seize upon the 
capricious Goddess Fortune, and confine her within 
the narrow limits of a dice-box, when he will sit for 
hours, and even days together, violently tormenting 
her in that circumscribed prison, as it were, in revenge 
for the freaks she sometimes practices upon him. 
Should he not find himself in a sufficient state of ele- 
vation to perform these arduous avocations, he has re- 
course to the renovating juice of the grape, by which 
he is enabled to form more splendid ideas of things, 
and to perform actions of which he before had no con- 
ception ; such as breaking the heads or the windows 
of his less aspiring neighbors, which things having 
been done, he sallies forth with all the pride of a vic- 
tor, to enjoy the glorious triumph of disgusting a so- 
ciety of virtuous ladies by a recapitulation of his feats 
of glory ; or should chance throw an unprotected fe- 
male in his way he immediately evinces the superiority 
of his prowess, by alarming or insulting her. Who 
will say that a man capable of such actions as these, 
is not "a creature made for lofty purposes." 

But methinks I hear some one exclaim, were such 
a burlesque upon the human character as the one you 
have exhibited, to be exhibited by the buffoon of a 
pantomimic theatre, he would be hissed and pelted ofli' 
the stage for his consummate impudence; and so in 
all probability he would : but he would at the same 
time fall under the displeasure of his audience for his 



76 ON STUDY. 

display of truth. The absurdities I have here depicted, 
are by no means exaggerated. On the contrary they 
are the ''recreations " to which many, who are am- 
bitious of being denominated " men of literature," but 
too frequently have recourse. May all such see their 
folly in the mirror here held up to them, and profit by 
the view. 

We have thus seen the folly of trivial amusements, 
and the advantage of rational recreations ; let us then 
no longer hesitate to adopt the latter, and avoid the 
former ; by so doing, we shall no longer have to re- 
proach ourselves with being guilty of a waste of time; 
but, on the contrary, peace of mind, and a sense of 
improvement, will testify to our hearts and con- 
sciences, that we are employing the talents confided to 
our care, to the best purpose. 



ON STUDY. 77 



CHAPTER XX. 

Conclusion. 

Lest the preceding chapters should have been read 
by any in a thoughtless and unheeding manner, it nnay 
not be altogether useless, by way of conclusion, to re- 
capitulate some of the most important of them ; on 
which, as it were, the welfare and success of the lite- 
rary student in a great measure depend. And first, as 
the basis on which his future reputation is to be found- 
ed, let him be careful to form a just estimate of his 
own abilities, taking care neither to undervalue nor 
overrate them ; for by the one he will be prevented 
from making those attainments which he otherwise 
might have made, and by the other he w'ill be in 
danger of generating a species of intellectual pride, 
which is never the concomitant of, and always detri- 
mental to, sound learning. Having satisfied himself on 
this point, he must then determine to what extent in lite- 
rary acquisitions he intends to proceed, and in fixing 
this boundary, if he possess a mind ambitious of dis- 
tinction, and determined by every means in its power 
to gain it, he is seldom in danger of proceeding too 
far; but when once he has pointed out the goal to his 
ow^n imagination, let him. never relax in his exertions 
to reach it. If the proposed extent of his learning be 
not so great as that which has been acquired by others, 
there is not the less merit due to him on that account. 

7* 



78 ON STUDY. 

Nature has not bestowed upon every one the abilities 
of a Plato, an Aristotle, or a Cicero, consequently it is 
not in the power of all to rival them in the attainments 
of literature and philosophy ; but it is in the power of 
every one to rival them in merit, for they did but make 
the best use of their talents, and it is in the power of 
all to do the same. To this end, let nothing divert 
the mind of the student from his pursuits ; let him not 
yield even for a moment (for even in this there is 
danger) to the debasing influence of effeminacy, or the 
fascinating allurements of luxurious enjoyments. In 
short, as has been before inculcated, he must consider 
all things, the more immediate object of which is 
pleasure, in the sensual acceptation of the term, as the 
greatest enemies to himself, and his pursuits, and as 
such studiously avoid them. Let him remember, that 
his ability will increase with his exertion, and that it 
will, on the other hand, decrease with the want of it. 
Let him also bear in mind, that what he sows, that also 
he may expect to reap ; and if he, during the season 
of youth, fosters the seeds of luxury and indolence, 
he may expect, in the season of age, to reap a plenti- 
ful harvest of disease and contempt. 

Let him never despair. Whatever difficulties he 
may meet with in the rugged paths of science, let 
them only serve to increase his ardor and redouble 
his energy, for in no other way can he hope to con- 
quer them. If in his ascent he should fall headlong a 
thousand times, he must begin to climb again every 
time more ardently, and fly to the summit with recruit- 
ed vigor. He to whom difficulties are appalling, w'ill 
meet with continual opposition; but from him who 



ON STUDY. 79t 

disregards them, or who possesses the art of rendering 
them subservient to his improvement, they will at 
length altogether vanish. 

Let him not be too desirous of riches. A moderate 
fortune is amply sufficient for all the purposes of 
human happiness; and he who possesses more than 
this, too often carries with him a stumbling block, 
which he can seldom get over. Not but that it is at 
all times his duty to improve his possessions by all 
honorable means within his power. Only let him 
beware that an immoderate hankering after wealth, 
do not blunt the desire of acquiring more valuable 
possessions, and blunt his capacity and inclination for 
more laudable pursuits and worthier attainments. 

The student must be fond of applause. He must 
diligently seek out and seize opportunity of surpassing 
his fellow-laborers in order to gain it. So long as he 
fosters this spirit of emulation, there is every hope of 
his performing actions which will be a lasting credit to 
himself, and also of the utmost benefit to society. When- 
ever he sees any one passing him in the common race, 
let him not rest for a moment till he has repassed him. 
This will be highly beneficial to either, for each will re- 
double his exertions, the one to keep before his compa- 
nion, the otherto regain his lost ground ; whilst they who 
are witnesses of the contest, w^ill give, if not the palm 
of victory, at least the reward of perseverance to both. 

It may not be improper to advert here to some of 
the acquirements necessary to be made before a man 
can enjoy the reputation of being learned. — A thorough 
knowledge of the Latjn language is, in the first place, 
indispensably requisite. This has been the universal 



so ON STUDY. 

language of men of literature of every civilized na- 
tion, and in all ages, from the days of Augustus to our 
own ; and it is at this fountain that we must quaff the 
draughts of knowledge, or otherwise be contented with 
satisfying our thirst at turbid and polluted streams. A 
knowledge of the Greek language is also so necessary, 
that a man who is destitute of it, can scarcely come 
under the denomination of learned. But much re- 
mains to be done beyond the mere acquisition of 
these, for it does not necessarily follow, that a person, 
be he ever so well skilled in classical literature, should 
be either learned or wise. Indeed it may so happen, 
and undoubtedly is in many instances the case, that 
a man may by practice acquire a considerable readi- 
ness in reading works in either of the above-mentioned 
languages, and yet be utterly unable to comprehend 
their meaning; notwithstanding which, he values him- 
self highly upon these acquisitions, never considering 
that language is only valuable as it is a means of ar- 
riving at knowledge. But as the inutility of such 
parrot-like attainments is too apparent to require a de- 
monstration, we shall pass on to the consideration of 
scientific acquirements. 

In order to become, in the modern acceptation of 
the word, a philosopher, it is indispensably necessary 
that the person aspiring to this distinction should be 
acquainted wuth the whole range of the mathematical 
sciences; and this is the grand test of a man's ability. 
The acquirement of classical literature requires little 
more than the exercise of patient industry ; and is so 
limited in its nature, that a man of inferior abilities 
may, if he think it worth his while, easily become ac- 



ON STUDY. 81 

quainted with it in all its varieties. But it is not so with 
the sciences, it w-ould be totally impossible to assign 
a boundary to their extent, or their utility. The ac- 
quisition of the former is a mere effort of the memory ; 
the acquisition of the latter is the result of the most 
arduous application of the mind. The former is, as 
it were, a kind of mental provision gathered into the 
storehouse of the brain, for the use only of him who 
possesses it; but the latter is like seed sow^n in a 
fertile field, yielding an hundredfold for the use of 
others. 

One great advantage of the mathematical sciences 
is, that by constant exercise in them, we become ac- 
customed to a close and infallible habit of thinking 
and reasoning, so that a person well versed in this de- 
partment of literature is in no danger of being deceived 
by false representations of things, however ingenious 
the sophistry under which such fallacy may be con- 
cealed ; for whenever a theory is submitted to the 
consideration of a mathematician, he immediately 
traces it from its first principles through a series of 
consequences till he arrive at a demonstration of its 
truth, or a conviction of its error, according to which 
he either adopts or rejects it. So that whatever may 
be the contentions of illiterate disputants respecting it, 
whether arising from their incompetency to decide 
concerning the truth of its premises, or from their ina- 
bility to judge of the correctness or fallacy of the con- 
clusions drawn from those premises, he is enabled, by 
an infallible mode of reasoning, to establish or over- 
throw it, according as he has proved its truth or want 
of it. 



82 ON STUDY. 

Another great and peculiar advantage of mathe- 
matical learning is, that it accustoms us to a great 
diligence in study, whilst at the same time it renders 
our labors delightful. Indeed, a greater punishment 
could not be inflicted upon a mind thoroughly imbued 
with a love of science, than by compelling it to relin- 
quish its object whilst engaged in the pursuit of it, al- 
though that pursuit be accompanied by the most severe 
mental labor. And it is no wonder, that, where an 
ardent attachment to abstract learning is firmly rooted 
in the mind, such should be the case ; for as a great 
philosopher has beautifully observed, '' whilst the mind 
is abstracted and elevated from sensible matter, it dis- 
tinctly views pure forms, conceives the beauty of ideas, 
and investigates the harmony of proportions ; the man- 
ners themselves are sensibly corrected and improved, 
the affections composed and rectified, the fancy calmed 
and settled, the understanding raised and excited to 
more divine contemplations." And what can be more 
delightful than to behold our minds increasing in know- 
ledge, in a manner which appears to us really wonder- 
ful ; to feel that we possess the power of unfolding the 
secrets of nature, and fathoming, as it were, the depths 
of omnipotence itself; to rise above the littleness of 
this terrestrial planet, and by the mere volition of the 
will, transporting ourselves into the immensity of space, 
to mark the courses of the planets as they journey on- 
wards in their respective orbits ; to know the causes 
which prevent them from wandering from their accus- 
tomed spheres ; to follow the ellipse of the comet to 
the very boundaries of the universe. These are things 
worthy of the mind of man ; and he who is destitute 



ON STUDY. 83 

of them, whatever may be his other attainments, may 
be said to be a child, who has scarcely passed the al- 
phabet of human knowledge. 

But the chief end of mathematical learning, as far 
as the interest and happiness of mankind in general 
are concerned, consists in its practical utility. It is 
owing to this, that a mariner is enabled to steer his 
vessel across the pathless ocean to a distant part of the 
globe, with a precision nearly equal to that with which 
a man would go from his own house to that of his 
neighbor. Hence flow our national and individual 
prosperities; a considerable portion of our necessaries 
and enjoyments; and our knowledge of the existence, 
and the relative situation of the different parts of our 
globe. It is to this that we are indebted for the mag- 
nificence and comfort of our public and private edi- 
fices. It is upon this base that our commercial sys- 
tems are erected. In short, from this source spring 
almost all the advantages which we possess, and the' 
greater part of the pleasures we partake of. 

But in addition to classical and scientific literature, 
it is necessary that a man of learning be acquainted 
with the different branches of historical literature, so 
as to be able to assign the rise, progress, and decline 
of empires to their respective causes, and to judge of 
the effects of different actions and events. He should 
also be somewhat skilled in the modern languages, 
and acquainted with modern literature ; but these, to- 
gether with some inferior attainments, are too obvious 
to all to require particular comment. 

It is thus evident, that he who aspires to the character 
of a man of learning, has taken upon himself the per- 



84 ON STUDY. 

formance of no common task. The ocean of literature 
is without limit. How then will he be able to perform 
a voyage, even to a moderate distance, if he waste 
his time in dalliance on the shore ? The path to emi- 
nence is not only long, but arduous; and how can any 
one rationally hope to arrive at its termination, unless 
he use diligence proportional to its difficulties? Our 
only hope is in exertion. Let our only reward be that 
of industry. Whatever may be our conduct in this re- 
spect, of one thing we are certain — That unless we are 
vigilant to gather the fruit of time, whilst the autumn of 
life is yet with us ; we shall, at the close of its winter, 
descend into the grave as the beasts which perish, 
without having left a record behind us to inform pos- 
terity that we ever existed. 



APPENDIX. 



" Adolescens eram, says Erpenius^ annorum plus 
minus sexdecim, cum primum, quae mea felioilas fiiit, 
in libellum hunc incidi. Missus eram a fidelissimo 
parente, viro non erudito quidem, sed eruditionis ta- 
men et eruditorura amantissimo, studiorum causa, Lei- 
dam, Ubi mox nescio quae me salietas eorum cepit. 
Ita dum sum affectus parum diligenter, studia tracto, 
et tantum non negligo, unice desiderans Musis valedi- 
cere, Quern animum meum dum differo parenti ape- 
rire, forte fortuna in inanus meas venit hie libcllus. 
Qui vel leviter, tantum inspectus, ita me affecit, ut ju- 
dicaverim eum non emendum tantum mihi, sed et at- 
tente perlegendum esse. Quod ut feci (feci autem 
non sine magna animi voluptate) incredibile dictu est 
quantum mutatusfuerim ab illo qui ante eram studiorum 
hoste. Nihil mihi placere coepitprseter studia: Discere, 
et alios, quod didiceram captata etiam ad id occasione, 
docere, summae mihi voluptati fuit. Quid multa? 
Auctoris hujus consilium, quantum quidem pro rerum 
mearum ratione mihi licebat, per omnia sequatus, ad 
8 



86 APPENDIX. 

indefessum me laborum accingo, spem concipiens, fore 
ut licet ingenio essein non admodum felici, assidua 
tamen diligentia aliquosque, in literarum curriculo 
pervenirem. Quse spes non omnino me fefellit. Gra- 
tia sit Deo immortali, qui, pro immensa sua bonitate, 
tarn benigne, labori meo benedixit." 



APPENDIX. 87 



COLLEGE DISCIPLINE. 

[Extracted from " College Life" — Letters to an Undergraduate, by the 
Rev. T. Whytehead, M. A.] 

The very first step towards entering into the true 
spirit of college life is to learn to view yourself here 
as in a state of discipline and pupilage ; and, what is 
more, to rejoice that it should be so. Of this be sure, 
that the submission of your own will and judgment to 
the system of the place is of itself, a far more valua- 
ble exercise, than could at all be compensated for by 
any self-devised improvement on the course you find 
marked out for you. Beautiful, and most worthy of 
remembrance, are those words of the wise man, '' the 
very true beginning of wisdom is the desire of disci- 
pline; and the care of discipline is love ; and love is 
the keeping of her laws." This is an essential part 
of the college student's character, to regard superiors, 
and especially seniors, with reverence and honor, and 
to pay a glad and graceful obedience to discipline and 
law. Perhaps there is nothing which so much tends 
to make the years spent at college so happy a part of 
a student's life as they generally are, as the light- 
hearted feeling of irresponsibility arising from our 
having the way of duty here clearly marked out, (so 
that we are freed from fhe anxiety of choosing it for 
ourselves, and have only to follow it,) and the single- 
ness and simplicity of purpose, which a docile sub- 
mission to this guidance creates. There is, indeed, 



88 APPENDIX. 

as an able writer has expressed it, ^' a painfulness in 
the very sense of entire responsibility, a bitterness in 
t!ie full cup of freedom from coFitrol which those who 
drink most freely of it, are the first to taste. A 
thoughtful mind will scarcely look on any condition as 
more deserving of pity than his who enters upon life, 

'Lord of himself, that heritage of woe:' 

and in the full liberty of the mind before it is fixed by 
sympathy in its choice, there is an oppression from 
which the most vigorous understanding hastens the 
soonest to escape." 

Dr. Hammond, when he was asked by a friend 
what special thing he would recommend for one's 
whole life, briefly replied, " uniform obedience ^"^"^ by 
which he meant, as his biographer, Dr. Fell, tells 
us, that the happiest state of life, was one which im- 
posed on us the condition of obeying^ rather than di- 
reding — the lot of not having to choose for one'^s selfo 
but having our path of duty marked out for us. In 
just such a state of life is the student placed at Col- 
lege ; and the spirit which pervades the whole of 
Wordsworth's fine Ode to Duty, exactly represents the 
tone of feeling which ought to be habitual to his mind. 

'•' Stern Daughter of the Voice of God ! 

Duty ! if that name thou love 
Who art a Light to guide, a Rod 

To check the ening, and reprove; 
Thou, who art victory and law 
When empty terrors overawe; 
From vain temptations dost set free ; 
And caim'st the weary strife of frail humanity! 



APPENDIX. 89 

<^ There are who ask not if thine eye 

Be on them -, who, in love and truth, 
Where no misgiving is, rely 

Upon the genial sense of youth : 
Glad Hearts ! without reproach or blot ; 
Who do thy work, and know it not : 
Long may the kindly impulse last ! 
But Thou, if they should totter, teach them to stand fast!-' 



90 APPENDIX. 



THE DIGNITY OF THE MEDICAL PRO- 
FESSION. 

[From an Unpublished Lecture to the Medical Students, by Dr. 
Matter.] 

And now what shall I say in conclusion to urge 
you to the observance of such a course, as must in- 
sure a life of future usefulness to your fellow-men, 
and of honor to yourselves ? Shall I rouse you to a 
more ardent love of your profession, by painting in 
glowing colors, but none too gorgeous for their de- 
sert, the many labors of love with which the practice 
abounds? Go with me to that sick chamber, where 
lies exhausted and suffering one of your fellow-crea- 
tures. Perchance a father in the death-agony from an 
attack of apoplexy, or a wife in convulsions, or a 
child suffocating with croup or scarlet-fever. Prompt 
and energetic, skilled in the resources of your science, 
calm amid danger, you administer the appropriate re- 
medies, and, in a few moments, the house of sorrow, 
over which the grim messenger has for hours been 
hovering, is changed into a house of joy; the sun- 
light of life is once more shed abroad, and beneath 
his genial rays, the mists and gloom of death vanish 
away. Is there not something here that would cause 
the heart of the good physician to leap for joy ? Is 
there a feeling that can compare with that which 
springs from the consciousness, that by our aid the 
balmy influence of repose has been shed upon the ex- 



APPENDIX. 91 

hausted victim of restlessness and vigil ; that the ago^ 
nizing pain has been assuaged; the parched tongue 
cooled; th'e outgushing current of life arrested, and 
a fellow-being snatched from the brink of that 
dark vale which all approach with fear and trem- 
bling? Nor does your opportunity of doing good 
cease with this labor of love. How manifold are the 
occasions for the exercise of that crowning virtue, 
charity? A virtue that *' covereth a multitude of 
sins," — and it should be exercised in the extreme ac- 
ceptation of the term, not restricting it to the mere 
giving of alms. — No, there is a charity far more pre- 
cious than this, the charity of the heart. The kind 
expression, the sympathizing tear, the gentle admoni- 
tion to look for help to the great Author of all joy and 
all sorrow, will convey often more solace, more heart- 
felt and permanent satisfaction, than if we poured 
the gold of Ophir into the lap of our suffering patient. 
And it is in the benign light of these labors of love, 
that our profession assumes its true dignity and excel- 
lence, and appears eminently worthy of the entire de- 
votion of its members, — " Transcending by these of- 
fices of humanity, the pretensions of common science, 
and passing by the cold acknowledgments of the un- 
derstanding, she makes her appeal at once to the heart, 
and there vindicates her claim to the distinguished 
consideration, which a grateful world in all genera- 
tions has accorded her." — But if the feelings which 
arise from the performance of such acts of humanity, 
are insufficient to stimulate you to a love of the pro- 
fession, let me lay before you a few of its more solid 
Inwards. The rewards of the profession are twofold. 



92 APPENDIX. 

1st. Those which arise from the pursuit as a means 
of livelihood, and which are paid in money. 

2d. Those which spring from the same source, but 
are paid in the blessing and thanks of the relieved 
sufferer, the poor and the needy, the widow and the 
orphan, and by the pleasing reflection that you are in 
reality " a worker of good," and deserve the title once 
bestowed on St. Luke the Evangelist, of the " beloved 
physician." 

I have told you that the rewards of the profession are 
twofold. Were we to receive no other recompense than 
that which money affords, I would advise you, without 
a moment's delay, to strike your names from the list, 
and direct your energies to some more lucrative em- 
ployment. — Yes! ours is no mere money-making pur- 
suit : — Politics, the law, commerce, the arts, agricul- 
ture, all offer a more speedy road to w^ealth. But if 
assiduous in your studies, you may certainly calculate 
upon a competency. Be satisfied with this, and look 
for rewards of another and a much higher order. Not 
the least of them, is the ** position in society" usually 
occupied by the kind and skillful physician. Whose 
friendship is more highly prized, whose name is so 
often coupled with expressions of gratitude, and love, 
and confidence, whose visit is more anxiously expected 
or more warmly received, w'hose cheerful smile and 
kind expressions so readily banish gloom and sorrow ? 
Whose hand is so eagerly grasped by the devoted 
wife, as she thanks him for the care with which he has 
watched over her husband, herself, or her children? 
Into whose ear is the tale of private griefs, hidden sor- 



APPENDIX. 



93 



rows, blighted hopes, and dreadful anticipations so 
readily poured forth? 

What reward, for example, can be compared with 
the consciousness that we have been the humble agent 
of Prov'idence in saving the life of a brother; that we 
have soothed the suffering frame, or perchance minis- 
tered to a mind touched with the prospect of futurity; 
that we have gladdened the heart of the weary victim 
of disease, and soothed the couch of death of half its 
terrors? When we reflect upon such labors, w^e feel 
that our reward is treasured up in the heart of Him 
who bade lis " heal the sick." But if such incentives 
fail, shall I force you to labor by depicting the mo- 
ments of shame and profitless remorse that must over- 
whelm the ignorant, the idle, or the dissipated physi- 
cian ? Are you aware that success in your day of life, 
depends much upon the character of its dawn? If 
this be obscured by idleness, coarseness of behav- 
ior, gross immorality, or beastly sensuality, its noon 
must be marked by disappointment, distress, and dis- 
repute among men, and its evening will close in sad- 
ness, remorse and gloomy uncertainty. Believe me 
when I tell you that your position in life depends upon 
the steps you nowtake. Do not imagine your deviations 
from the path of duty will escape observation, for this 
is impossible. And oh ! could I but describe in lan- 
guage so glowing that not a word would fail to sink 
deep into your hearts, some few of the scenes of sor- 
row and heart-rending grief it has been my lot to 
witness ; the chief actors in which were young men 
like yourselves, noble, generous, warm-hearted, full of 
energy and vigor of life, the pride of their parents, 



94 APPENDIX. 

the chosen associates of the virtuous and honorable, 
the type of manly virtue, they were all these, until the 
tempter in the guise of the fatal bowl, or the painted 
harlot, or the fiend-like gamester, who gloats upon his 
prey, ere he strikes the fatal blow, entered in, and, 
like " the worm i' the bud," made all these gorgeous 
beauties fade, and wither, and fall, leaving nothing but 
the gnarled and misshapen stalk: the body without 
the soul. Oh ! gentlemen, shall it be our lot to wit- 
ness such a change in any of you? shall it be our me- 
lancholy task, when the brief period which binds us 
together here shall have passed, and we as your teach- 
ers are asked for the fruits of our culture, shall it be 
our sad duty, I repeat, to present to your friends and to 
the world, the idle dunce, the shameless debauchee, 
the contemner of that priceless gem, female honor, or, 
what is even more hateful, the heartless gamester? 
God forbid that such should be our task! 

Lastly, let me cheer you on to the good work in 
the language of one who feels the impulses of a noble 
soul and hastens to obey them. 

^^ Oh ! what a glory does this world put on 
For him who with a fervent heart goes forth 
Under the bright and glorious sky, and looks 
On duties well performed, and days well spent ! 
He shall so hear the solemn hymn that death 
Has lifted np for all, that he shall go 
To his long resting-place without a tear.'' 

Longfellow. 

May this be the mind of each and every one of you, 
and may you at the last be able to say with the great 
Mr. Pitt, " My lamp is nearly extinguished ; I hope it 
has burnt for the benefit of others." 



APPENDIX. 



95 



LEGAL EDUCATION. 

BY LORD BROUGHAM. 

[From Law Review, November, 1844.] 

^^ And first of all, in discussing the question, how 
is a man to prepare himself for advancing to the 
height of this renowned profession, assuming as a mat- 
ter of course, that he is to make himself master of the 
law, as far as any one can become master of it; by- 
reading and by attending a pleader's office, without 
actual practice in giving opinions or conducting causes, 
we must lay it down as clear that a foundation should 
by all means be laid broad and deep of general learn- 
ing. The classics are chiefly to be studied, no other 
means existing, of making the taste pure, and attain- 
ing a proficiency in the oratorical art. But the sciences 
are of much importance. The moral sciences evi- 
dently cannot be too carefully studied by those, whose 
occupation it is to reason upon evidence, and proba- 
bilities, to address the feelings and the passions, to 
discuss points of duty, to discriminate between shades 
of guilt. The business of practical lawyers lies very 
mainly among questions of morals. But physical 
science, too, demands their care. No one can be ig- 
norant how many cases are always coming before 
courts of justice, which turn upon principles of natu- 
ral philosophy and niceties in the mechanical and che- 



96 



APPENDIX. 



rnical arts. Lawyers and judges of the highest emi- 
nence, have frequently been heard to declare, that far 
from considering any portion of the time which they 
have spent in learning the different branches of phy- 
sical science thrown away, they only lamented daily 
not having laid in a larger provision of such know- 
ledge, aware how well they could find the means of 
turning it to account. It may fairly be questioned, if 
any benefit can result to practical men from the extra- 
vagant degree of attention paid at Cambridge to pure 
mathematics, or to the niceties of the ancient metres, 
at Eton and Oxford ; but, indeed, it is equally ques- 
tionable if such excessive refinements are at all pro- 
fitable in any other department of exertion even with 
a view to the cultivation of the sciences, or of letters 
themselves ; and in aid of this doubt comes the known 
fact of so very minute a percentage of wranglers, and 
first class men ever in after life distinguishing them- 
selves in scientific or in literary pursuits; nay, as the 
generally known fact of very few, if any of these 
classes, after leaving the banks of Cam and of Isis, 
ever looking at either a mathematical or a classical 
book. But these are extravagant actings on a good 
principle; excesses to which sound doctrine is use- 
lessly, even hurtfully, carried on by the zeal of the 
learned. No man can doubt that a familiar acquaint- 
ance with mathematical principles, mathematical me- 
thods of demonstration, the doctrines of mechanical 
and of chemical science, is of unspeakable importance 
to the practical lawyer, whether conducting causes at 
the Bar, or deciding them on the Bench. If any one 
doubted this before hearing Lord Tenterden try a 



APPENDIX. 97 

patent cause, all his doubts must then have vanished 
for ever. After that he was more likely to overvalue 
than to underrate this acromplishment. But next, the 
branches of knowledge not cultivated at schools and 
colleges, are also of eminent use to lawyers. No man 
can be an excellent lawyer, without a knowledge of 
history; especially the history of his own country. 
But also no accomplished lawyer can be without a 
general knowledge of the legal systems of other coun- 
tries. They who have studied the ablest legal argu- 
ments in our courts, in modern times especially, must 
be aware what sources of both reasoning and illustra- 
tion the comparative view of other systems has afforded. 
This is in truth almost the only particular in w^hich our 
lawyers of the present day surpass the learned and ela- 
borate ones of old. 

An acquaintance with the lighter literature of the 
country, is also highly beneficial to the advocate — to 
him especially who has to address either a parliament- 
ary tribunal or jury. Generally speaking, our older 
lawyers (we mean of modern times) have been con- 
fined in their reading to Shakspeare, as, indeed, the 
sameness of their quotations appeared to testify. Yet 
even this modicum of the English classics had its ad- 
vantages, and their making provision of it was a tes- 
timony to the advantages of such classical knowledge. 
Sir Vicary Gibbs, it was said, had never read but two 
books out of the profession, since he quitted Cam- 
bridge, where he took a good degree. In the one he 
was fortunate enough ; it was Shakspeare. Not so 
felicitous did he turn out to be in his second choice ; 
it was Damberger's travels, which he had painfully 
9 



98 APPENDIX. 

studied, and even indexed. But unluckily it turned 
out to be a very clumsy fabrication, no such journey 
into Central Africa having ever been undertaken, nor 
any such traveler having existed. 

It has often been questioned, whether the student 
derives any benefit from those lighter studies, suffi- 
cient to compensate the risk he incurs of having his 
mind drawn away to the mere flowery-paths of litera- 
ture, from the arid and tedious road of the law. But 
we must consider that the studies in question, are to 
precede his devoting himself chiefly to his professional 
studies ; and even if they be continued during his pre- 
paration for the Bar, they are likely to form rather a 
wholesome and invigorating relaxation from more 
severe pursuits, than a distraction. It may safely be 
affirmed, that unless a young man have the fixed desire 
of becoming a good lawyer, either from ambition, or 
from narrow circumstances, (by far the best prepara- 
tion for Westminster Hall,) or from both, he will never 
master the science of the law, and with such a reso- 
lution to govern and to guide him, he may safely be 
entrusted with access to the classics whether of ancient 
times or of his own." 



APPENDIX. 99 



THE ERRORS TO BE AVOIDED IN THE 
STUDY OF DIVINITY. 

[Extracted from Du Pin's Complete Method of Studying Divinity, 
c. vii.] 

** Theology affords so large a field for study, so many 
different subjects being there treated of, and enlarged 
upon, and the volumes that have been writ upon them, 
being so numerous and great, that a man's whole life, 
though drawn out to the greatest length, and spent in 
continual study, is so far from being sufficient for a 
thorough search into every subject, and a curious and 
exact reading of every work, (which indeed is im- 
possible,) that it is not even enough for a superficial 
and cursory reading of that abundant variety. An 
abridged plan is therefore necessary to be formed, and 
a good choice made of the best and most judicious 
authors, such, I mean, as have nicely, accurately, and 
thoroughly handled each particular'subject ; which will 
save a great deal of time, that otherwise would be 
spent in useless studies, and reading unprofitable 
works. How frequent is it for men to spend a great 
part of their time in laboring after that which is nei- 
ther of use to themselves or others, only for want of 
taste and judgment, or of some direction in the choice 
of their studies ? And_ how many are there that be- 
stow years in the study of the most obscure and subtle 
schoolmen, without ever looking into the Holy Scrip- 



100 APPENDIX. 

ture, or the Fathers ? And what advantage do they 
reap from this, besides filling their heads with an infi- 
nite number of metaphysical questions, which are of 
no manner of use in the conduct of life, or the de- 
fence of religion? Others again there are, that instead 
of drawing maxims of sound morality from the pure 
sources of the Gospel, tradition and able casuists, have 
recourse to dirty cisterns, which aflford only a tainted 
and corrupt morality. There are some, also, that waste 
their time in dabbling in shallow controversies, whose 
authors, instead of wading into the depths of religion, 
will be engaging, how ill qualified soever, in the de- 
fence of its truths, which they ought rather humbly to 
sit|down with and believe. Some, again, in holy orders, 
whose business is in the Ministry of God's Word, 
often miscarry through reading weak sermons, instead 
of forming themselves upon more excellent models. 
Others, again, there are, whose knowledge in eccle- 
siastical history reaches no farther than a few legends, 
from whence, for want of criticism, they load their 
memories with Romantic stories, which they as firmly 
believe, as they do the Gospel. Lastly, there are others 
that spend all their days in the study of a sort of mys- 
tical theology, and dote upon the most contemptible 
works of this kind, through their ignorance of any 
other. I pass over those that are infatuated with here- 
tical studies, and are daily laboring therein. And 
here I cannot but observe, that a confused method of 
study, and an irregular pursuit of it, is very often the 
cause why so little advantage is reaped from it ; where- 
as, on the contrary, method and order, disposition and 
connection of authors, and subjects, contribute very 



APPENDIX. 101 

much to our improveraent in the sciences, to the clear- 
ness of our ideas, to the justness of our judgment, and 
to the relief and fidelity of our memory. Thus, it ap- 
pears, that we cannot take too much care, especially 
in a course of theological studies, to set out well, and 
make a good choice of valuable and judicious authors. 
But then this is as difficult as it is necessary, and it 
requires a nice judgment, a great deal of learning, and 
a just distinguishing faculty, to be able to point out 
the course that is to be taken, to give a complete plan 
of the several studies we are to wade through, and to 
make a right collection of authors. It will also be 
pretty hard to please all men in this respect, by rea- 
son of that variety there is in men's tastes, opin- 
ions, and judgments. Moreover, the variety of tem- 
pers, inclinations, and employments, is such, that it is 
next to impossible to lay down such a plan as shall 
be agreeable to all." 



102 APPENDIX. 



FREQUENT CHANGES IN THE PLAN OF 
STUDY. 

[Extracted from the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Potter's Hand-book for Students.] 

" Beware, on the other hand, of frequent changes in 
your plan of study. This is the besetting sin of young 
persons. * The man who resolves,' says Wirt, ^but 
suffers his resolution to be changed by the first coun- 
ter-suggestion of a friend ; who fluctuates from opinion 
to opinion, from plan to plan, and veers like a weather- 
cock to every point of the compass, with every breath 
of caprice that blows, can never accomplish anything 
great or useful. Instead of being progressive in any- 
thing, he will be at best stationary, and more probably 
retrograde in all. It is only the man who carries into 
his pursuits that great quality which Lucan ascribes to 
Ceesar, nescia virtus stare loco, who first consults wise- 
ly, then resolves firmly, and then executes his purpose 
with inflexible perseverance, undismayed by those petty 
difficulties which daunt a weaker spirit than can ad- 
vance to eminence in any line. Let us take, by way 
of illustration, the case of a student. He commences 
the study of the dead languages; presently comes a 
friend, who tells him he is wasting his time, and that, 
instead of obsolete words, he had much better employ 
himself in acquiring new ideas. He changes his plan, 
and sets to work at the mathematics. Then comes 
another friend, who asks him with a grave and sapient 



APPENDIX. 103 

face, whether he intends to become a professor in a col- 
lege; because, if he does not, he is misemploying his 
time ; and that, for the business of life, common mathe- 
matics is quite enough of the mathematics. He throws 
up his Euclid, and addresses himself to some other 
study, which, in its turn, is again relinquished on 
some equally wise suggestion ; and thus life is spent 
in changing his plans. You cannot but perceive the 
folly of this course ; and the worst effect of it is, the 
fixing on your mind a habit of indecision, sufficient in 
itself, to blast the fairest prospects. No, take your 
course wisely, but firmly; and, having taken it, hold 
upon it with heroic resolution, and the Alps and Py- 
renees will sink before you. The whole empire of 
learning will be at your feet, while those who set out 
with you, but stopped to change their plans, are yet 
employed in the very profitable business of changing 
their plans. Let your motto be, Perseverando vinces. 
Practice upon it, and you will be convinced of its 
value by the distinguished eminence to which it will 
conduct you.' " 



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